Not all hermit crabs are thought-about protected for reef tanks. In truth, many hermit crabs are recognized to destroy corals, eat different invertebrates, and even eat fish. Nonetheless, there are some choices that may coexist in a reef tank. These hermit crabs are pretty small species that will not disturb the opposite tank life. They will squeeze into the cracks and crevices that bigger crabs cannot to eat algae and different particles that in any other case would pollute the tank water.
Listed here are 9 hermit crab species which can be protected for marine reef tanks.
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Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab
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Native to the Caribbean, the dwarf blue leg hermit crab is a superb addition to a saltwater aquarium as a result of it eats many sorts of algae, together with purple slime algae (cyanobacteria). It sifts and aerates the sand as properly. This tiny crab likes to stay in deserted snail shells, so it may be a risk to a snail in your tank except you present it with empty shells. Members of this crab’s genus are typically known as equal-handed hermit crabs as a result of each claws are the identical dimension.
Species Overview
Size: As much as 1.5 inches
Bodily Traits: Blue legs with purple banding and white ideas; each claws are of equal dimension
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Dwarf Crimson Tip Hermit Crab
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The dwarf purple tip hermit crab is native to the coastal waters round Central America. In dwelling aquariums, this hermit crab prefers sand during which it could actually forage and dig. It’s recognized for its scavenger tendencies and can do a wonderful job cleansing all of the crevices of a tank to regulate algae progress whereas aerating the sand.
Species Overview
Size: As much as 2 inches
Bodily Traits: Vivid purple face and legs; each claws are of equal dimension
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Dwarf Yellow Tip Hermit Crab
The placing dwarf yellow tip hermit crab comes from the coastal waters round Vietnam. Its small dimension permits it to get into all the nooks and crannies of a reef tank. It is a ravenous algae eater that likes to dig by sand. So it does finest in a longtime tank that has ample algae for it to graze on.
Species Overview
Size: As much as 1 inch
Bodily Traits: Vivid yellow bands on inexperienced to black legs; each claws are of equal dimension
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Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab
![Calcinus laevimanus (Hawaiian hermit, dwarf zebra hermit crab) - with sponge]()
The dwarf zebra hermit crab is well-liked in dwelling aquariums for its distinct coloring. It is native to intertidal areas of the Pacific Ocean. This hermit crab can also be a voracious algae scavenger, together with for purple slime algae. If there’s not sufficient algae within the tank, its food regimen ought to be supplemented with dried seaweed.
Species Overview
Size: As much as 1 inch
Bodily Traits: Coloured pincers; white or orange bands on in any other case darkish legs; good blue eyestalks fading into an orange-tinged higher half; bigger left claw
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Polka Dot Hermit Crab
The polka dot hermit crab is one other algae and leftover meals scavenger that may squeeze into tiny areas of a tank to maintain them clear. This hermit crab will not trouble corals. Nevertheless it may assault a snail for its shell. So be sure you supply loads of empty shells in your tank. For essentially the most half, although, it is a peaceable crab.
Species Overview
Size: As much as 1 inch
Bodily Traits: Bigger proper claw; purple physique with white dots
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Electrical Orange Hermit Crab
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Originating within the Hawaiian Islands, the electrical orange hermit crab is a superb addition to a saltwater aquarium as a result of it eats uneaten meals, many sorts of algae, and different particles and waste. It additionally sifts and aerates the sand because it forages. Supply it dried seaweed when there’s not sufficient algae within the tank for it to eat.
Species Overview
Size: As much as 2 inches
Bodily Traits: Vivid orange legs with brown bands; blue eyes
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Halloween Hermit Crab
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Additionally native to the Hawaiian Islands, the Halloween hermit crab is known as for its vivid orange and purple leg bands that make it seem like a Halloween ornament. It eats varied varieties of algae, together with inexperienced hair algae and cyanobacteria, together with leftover meals and different particles. It may possibly get comparatively massive in comparison with a few of the dwarf hermit crabs, so it may doubtlessly disrupt corals in a reef tank. However general it peacefully coexists in a tank.
Species Overview
Size: 2 inches
Bodily Traits: Alternating orange and purple bands on legs; orange eyestalks
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Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab
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Native to the Caribbean and Indonesia, the scarlet reef hermit crab is known as for its good purple physique. It is also referred to as the purple reef hermit crab or red-legged hermit crab. This can be a hardy and hungry little crab that feeds on algae and particles in reef aquariums. In truth, it particularly likes the varieties of algae that may be problematic growers in tanks. This hermit crab additionally is understood for its pleasant nature towards its fellow tank inhabitants.
Species Overview
Size: As much as 1.5 inches
Bodily Traits: Vivid purple legs; yellow face
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Elegant Hermit Crab
![Elegant hermit crab]()
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This species from Hawaii is a big hermit crab. Though it will not eat corals, it’d harm them by dragging its large heavy shell over them. It additionally may assault an aquarium snail for its shell in the event you do not present empty ones. However it can do a wonderful job at maintaining the tank’s algae progress in examine and eradicating particles and waste.
Species Overview
Size: As much as 3 inches
Bodily Traits: Blue, purple, or yellow knuckles on brown legs; lengthy eyestalks with blue on the decrease half and orange on the higher half; bigger left claw