Carinotetraodon travancoricus

I got 3 Dwarf Puffers today. I wasn't really aware of the fact how interesting these fish are. As soon as I dropped them into the paludarium, they started exploring the new environment. One of the crabs started following them but they would wisely swim away.


Puffer attacking the baby Ramshorn snail (their natural diet - small snails)

Photos by Dusko Bojic.

Above the water surface

This Crab for sure needs some land. All 3 of my crabs are at some stage on the land. I fed them with cucumber but so far they are not showing any interest in eating it. Instead a bit of Anubias nana is gone missing. I will try feeding them with carrots to see what happens.

Photos by Dusko Bojic.

The first Pseudosesarma moeshi shots

And here are the first photos of my Pseudosesarma moeshi aka Sesarma bidens. They are adapting very well. They show great appetite, eating the Anubias 'Petit'
and the Java Moss as well as the soft parts of the bog wood. I can see them inhibiting both parts, the land and under the water (next photo shows this crab resting over the water line).The Macrobrachium spp. shrimp is still alive. I am sure Crabs will not harm this shrimp.

Photos by Dusko Bojic.

Crabs introduced at last.

Just for the records;
I introduced 3 Sesarma bidens (1 male 2 females) into this paludarium of mine. Like expected they are very shy at first. One female started showing interest in eating Java Moss, good sign that crabs are adapting to the new environment.

Not long ago, since I didn't have any other space for it, I decided placing my only Macrobrachium spp. shrimp (4cm) into this tank. I hope it will live in harmony with the rest of the Crab family. Time will tell.

As soon the Crabs get more comfortable and on right spot, I will post some photos.

The final scape

I planted a few Cryptocorine x willisii and that should be it concerning the fauna. I also placed 3 more pieces of bog-wood, so they reach above the water surface, creating extra "land" for several Sesarma bidens crabs.
I am not sure will plants resist the crabs appetite but time will tell. I will feed the crabs with cucumber, carrots and apples. This should keep them away from the plants. I will also feed them with Hikari Crab sticks.