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The Complete Guide to Keeping Fiddler Crabs
Exotic

The Complete Guide to Keeping Fiddler Crabs

Fiddler Crabs care summary. Small semi-terrestrial crabs kept in a brackish paludarium (a tank with both land and slightly salty water). Use at least 60 litres for 3–5 crabs. Make 70–80% land and 20–30% shallow water no deeper than 5–8 cm. Provide 8–10 cm of fine sand or a sand–soil mix for burrows. Salinity (salt level) 1.005–1.015, temperature 22–28°C, pH 7.5–8.5. Humidity 70–90% and air temperature 24–28°C, use a tight lid and mist the land daily. Feed algae wafers, spirulina pellets, sinking crustacean pellets, vegetables and occasional protein. Keep at least 3 crabs with 1 male to 2–3 females and use a species-only tank. Do weekly 20–30% water changes, use a gentle sponge filter and provide hides and climbing decor. Support moulting with calcium and steady conditions. Lifespan about 2–3 years. Not suitable for simple freshwater tanks; they do well with a proper brackish setup.

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  • A Complete Guide to Owning an African Flower Mantis
    Exotic

    A Complete Guide to Owning an African Flower Mantis

    African Flower Mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) is a small, colourful mantis from sub-Saharan Africa with petal-like limbs and bright eye spots. This flower mantis is active, fast-growing and has bold behaviour, making it a popular pet for mantis care and observation. Housing needs vertical space, good ventilation and places to hang for moulting; a 20x20x30 cm enclosure with branches and plants works well. Keep temperature 24 to 28°C and humidity 50 to 60% with light daily misting and plenty of airflow. Feed nymphs on fruit flies every 1 to 2 days and adults on small crickets or flies every 2 to 4 days. Remove uneaten prey and do not offer food larger than the mantis head. Moulting requires hanging space and no disturbance. Lifespan is about 6 to 9 months. Handle only briefly and gently. Legal to keep in the UK; buy captive-bred stock from reputable sellers for best mantis care.

  • An Owner’s Guide to Keeping the Northern Banded Newt
    Exotic

    An Owner’s Guide to Keeping the Northern Banded Newt

    The Northern banded newt (Ommatotriton ophryticus) care guide covers housing, diet, breeding and health for keepers. It explains a paludarium with a water area 20–25 cm deep and a damp land area, plus tank sizes for pairs and groups. Diet notes include bloodworms, earthworms and small insects, feeding schedules, and calcium and vitamin supplements. Care tips cover gentle filtration, weekly partial water changes, and keeping temperature at 16–20°C with no higher than 24°C, a 12 hour light cycle and low level UVB. Breeding advice includes a winter cooling period near 10°C, spring warming, courtship, plant-wrapped eggs and larval rearing. Common health risks are dirty water, fungal infections, low humidity and poor diet, and handling should be minimal with wet hands or gloves. Legal and conservation points stress buying captive bred animals and responsible keeping. Size, lifespan and seasonal colouration changes are included for UK keepers.

  • How to Safely Introduce a Clean-Up Crew to an Occupied Terrarium
    Exotic

    How to Safely Introduce a Clean-Up Crew to an Occupied Terrarium

    A clean-up crew in a bioactive terrarium uses springtails and isopods to break down waste, control mould and keep the substrate healthy. This guide shows how to introduce a clean-up crew to an occupied terrarium safely. Choose springtails first and suitable isopods for your enclosure size and humidity. Make sure temperature and humidity are steady, no chemicals are present, and substrate is moist but not waterlogged. Reduce risk by feeding animals before introduction, giving hides, and avoiding times of shedding or illness. Add springtails to moist leaf litter and mist lightly. Add isopods at low-activity times, under leaf litter and in small batches. Feed the crew with leaf litter, cuttlebone and occasional vegetable matter, but do not overfeed. Monitor for less mould, cleaner substrate and normal animal behaviour, and watch for warning signs like stress, strong odours or die-off. Do not use wild-caught insects, too many invertebrates at once or sterile substrates. When done carefully, a clean-up crew can make a bioactive terrarium more stable and easier to maintain.

  • How to Set Up a Paludarium for Aquatic Species
    Exotic

    How to Set Up a Paludarium for Aquatic Species

    This paludarium guide explains simple steps for paludarium setup and paludarium care for aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Choose the right enclosure size and material, and make sure seals and ventilation suit high humidity. Set the correct water to land ratio for your animals, for example 70% water/30% land for mostly aquatic species or 50/50 for amphibians. Use strong filtration, cycle the water for 4 to 6 weeks, and test water regularly to keep ammonia and nitrite at zero. Keep tropical water between 22 and 28°C and humidity around 70 to 90 percent, and provide suitable lighting and UVB where needed. Plant with Anubias, Java fern, bromeliads and mosses to help humidity and water quality. Do daily checks, weekly tests and monthly partial water changes, and avoid common mistakes like skipping the cycle, overstocking, poor filtration, unsafe materials and stagnant water. Follow these steps to create a stable, natural paludarium that supports healthy animal behaviour and long term care.

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