Does a female crab have to lay eggs with or without a male fiddler crab?

A female crab typically needs to mate with a male fiddler crab to fertilize her eggs before laying them. Fiddler crabs engage in a courtship display where males use their enlarged claw to attract females. After mating, the female will lay her fertilized eggs in a suitable environment, often in the water. Without mating, the eggs will remain unfertilized and cannot develop into offspring.