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You are here: Home / Invertebrates / Crabs / All About Saltwater Tank Crabs
A very Hairy Hermit Crab!

All About Saltwater Tank Crabs

by greg.chernoff

Crabs can be fun, interesting, and helpful additions to a saltwater aquarium. There is a large variety of saltwater tank crabs that are available for hobbyists to buy. From the Emerald to the Horseshoe to hermits, they come in many different shapes and sizes and with that many different uses as well.

Crabs are a type of crustacean from the Decapod family. They typically craw on the floor of their environment with spider-like movements. Unlike spiders, crabs have hard shells that cover the entirety of their body. There are many ways in which they can go about having this sort of protective shell. A majority are somewhat flat and have a broad shell that covers and protects them. Hermits, though, use snail shells as a form of protection. There are also some such as the Arrow Crab and Horseshoe, that come in unique shapes.

Crabs are scavenger animals. They search the rocks and sand of their environment for leftover food, algae, and possibly weaker fish. While some are predatorial, there are saltwater tank crabs that are not. Some crabs are carnivorous and some are strictly herbivores. Most are omnivores though. Here is where research is important. Porcelain Crabs are very peaceful and will not harm other inverts or fish, but Sally Lightfoot Crabs are more aggressive and may take an unsuspecting fish as an opportunity for food. The aggression levels for crabs vary from species to species and all work in different situations. Some crabs are brutally violent with each other, but won’t hurt corals or fish. Some will kill snails for food or shelter. There are also cases in which a seemingly peaceful crab will snatch a smaller fish and eat it and you would never know what happened to the fish.

Another issue with crabs, in general, is that they are extremely versatile and while it is fun to watch them scurry around, it also means that they are escape artists. Not all crabs are capable of escaping a tank, but there surely are a few.

[CInverts]

In the early days of my reefing experience, I had an army of Striped Shore Crabs in my tank. These crabs should not be put in an aquarium at all, but I was not aware of this at the time. Almost every morning I would find some of these crabs in the bathroom, around the tank, and other parts of the house. This is just one specific species, but they are similar to most other crabs in that they can get around!

For the most part, crabs are great for saltwater aquariums, but it is surely beneficial to be aware that the can surprise you in ways you may not enjoy.

There are many different common saltwater tank crabs, and it is important to know about them to determine which would work in specific situations and which ones wouldn’t. In the next few paragraphs, I will inform you of some of the more common crabs, such as Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs and Emerald Crabs.

Certainly one of the most common types of crabs are hermit crabs. The term hermit crab refers to a large group of crabs that typically live inside of snail shells. While there are very large hermit crabs, the ones that are best for saltwater aquariums are smaller, such as the Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab. The Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati) is a peaceful crab that is used for algae and detritus control. They are very hardy and require little care. They are distinguished by their bright red legs and grow to a max size of an inch and a half. These hermit crabs would be a great addition to a tank’s clean up crew.

An even smaller hermit crab is the Blue Leg Hermit Crab. It will grow, at max, to only about on inch. This crab has colorful blue legs that are tipped in white and also a few subtle red stripes. The Blue Leg Hermit Crab does a similar job in cleaning up detritus and algae as the Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab. Its smaller size can also be an advantage that allows it to get into smaller spaces A very unique shell for a hermit crab!that other crabs can not.

Both of these hermit crabs are peaceful and reef safe, but like all hermit crabs, they need shells to live in. If there are no shells available in the tank, they will go after snails for their shells to live in. They may also go after each other for shells as well. That is the only downside to hermit crabs; no matter what you do, you will always end up with much less than what you started with due to their habit of attacking each other.

Another very popular crab is the Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus). These crabs are very easy to care for and are another great option for algae control. They are especially known to eat bubble algae, which is why so many hobbyists favor them over other crabs. These crabs are reef safe, but if they get hungry or run out of their food source, the may go after corals, other inverts, and fish. They may even target smaller fish without having a lack of food. If they do target a fish, it will most likely be a sleeping fish, a bottom-dwelling fish, or a sick fish. This is something to keep in mind when making livestock decisions. When algae is there, these crabs can make good progress on the nuisance algae.

If you are not getting a Porcelain Crab (Petrolisthes galathinus) for its clean up abilities, then it must be for its stunning looks. This peaceful and reef safe crab can have a blueish gray body with bright blue highlights, black speckled spots, and some orange around its legs. That is just one variant of a few different color varieties. Along with two large claws used for scavenging, Porcelain Crabs also have a pair of filter feeding arms, making them filter feeders. Porcelain Crabs will also live in groups peacefully.

The Sally Lightfoot Crab (Percnon gibbesi)  is a semi-aggressive scavenger. It has a mean appearance with its long eight spider-like legs and suspicious eyes. It requires lots of rockwork for it to hide and search for food. You may want to steer clear of this crab as it gets much more aggressive as it gets bigger. It may catch smaller fish and inverts for food, especially if it is underfed. While this crab could be beneficial to the control of detritus, it might not be worth it because of its aggressive behavior. Another example of an opportunistic feeder is the Arrow Crab or Spider Crab. It is also known to attack smaller fish and other crustaceans. Although it looks cool, it is another crab that should be put into tanks with caution. One final, more extreme, example of this type of crab is the Stripped Shore Crab, as mentioned early. These crabs are very aggressive and can grow to the size of the palm of a hand. These crabs are typically not sold in stores or online but are rather found on the cost of California. Even though they are uncommon, it is beneficial to be aware of these types of crabs.

Crabs could be the best thing or the worst thing you add to your aquarium, depending on which one you add. One thing is for sure though, there is no shortage of variety within in the category of saltwater tank crabs. As long as you are aware of the risks and the benefits you should be able to decide which crab is best for your saltwater aquarium.

[CInverts]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Asad Khan says

    November 25, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    I’ve heard that Red-Legged hermits are more aggressive than the blues. is there any truth to this statement?

    Reply
    • darrowfam4 says

      January 13, 2020 at 9:06 am

      What mineral balance to crabs require in the reef tank? My tank was low in calcium. Can this contribute to or the whitening of the shell? I was told it may be the coraline algae that is turning white, but it seems my emeralds only last a couple of months in my 150 gallon tank.

      Reply
  2. Kelly Tompkins says

    November 25, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    I just tried a new crab the pitho crab! I love them. I have not had huge success with decorator crabs.

    http://bit.ly/2PTnrN2

    Reply
  3. Jonathan says

    November 25, 2019 at 6:51 pm

    I have tried a few of those coral crabs and they never seem to live in my tank.

    Reply
  4. Marco says

    November 25, 2019 at 9:32 pm

    Happy thanksgiving

    Reply
  5. robert vice says

    November 25, 2019 at 10:36 pm

    very hard to get rid of and itch like crazy . but not a fan of my Halloween crab

    Reply
  6. Kinue says

    November 25, 2019 at 11:49 pm

    Crabs creep me out lol

    Reply
  7. Mike Mijarez says

    November 26, 2019 at 12:09 am

    Had a decorator crab pull off all the heads on one of my coral. Definitely love hermits!

    Reply
  8. dartagnon_1965 says

    November 26, 2019 at 5:11 am

    I’ve never had crabs. Either in my tank or personally. LOL

    Reply
  9. Nickn says

    November 26, 2019 at 6:59 am

    I enjoy my crabs funny little critters

    Reply
  10. Joe car says

    November 26, 2019 at 7:44 am

    Love my hermits but they always find a way to unglue my corals lol

    Reply
  11. Becky says

    November 26, 2019 at 7:46 am

    My hermits are great, i haven’t been able to keep an emerald tho.

    Reply
  12. Paul Kachirsky says

    November 26, 2019 at 7:49 am

    Hermit crabs are awesome. I have some red leg and blue leg hermits in my tank now. I have some Electric blue, Scarlet and neon orange hermits shipping to me this week!

    Reply
    • Jesus says

      November 28, 2019 at 5:41 pm

      Nice crab.

      Reply
  13. Richard Baer says

    November 26, 2019 at 11:30 am

    I like the fancy hermits like the Halloween and Electric Blue! I’ve had several of each for years and they add beauty in addition to utility!

    Reply
  14. Liz McDaneld says

    November 26, 2019 at 11:49 am

    I have two amazing hermits then 1 butt of a hermit. Other thank that they do a lovely job alongside my emerald.

    Reply
  15. cwnegron84 says

    November 26, 2019 at 11:49 am

    I’VE ONLY KEPT HERMIT CRABS NEVER TRIED ANY OTHERS… ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?

    Reply
  16. polygonreef says

    November 26, 2019 at 5:19 pm

    Love these critters!

    Reply
  17. Chris S. Buswell says

    November 26, 2019 at 7:20 pm

    The Emerald crab in my tank is a favorite with my kids as he is bold and doesn’t hide his love of nori sheets!

    Reply
  18. Matt Blefeld says

    November 26, 2019 at 8:05 pm

    Love my Scarlet reef hermits

    Reply
  19. Steven Rodriguez says

    November 26, 2019 at 8:45 pm

    I have a horseshoe crab

    Reply
  20. bad72nova says

    November 26, 2019 at 9:22 pm

    Good info but I know of blue legs to be more aggressive than scarlet hermits

    Reply
  21. liesle_memmott says

    November 26, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    Loved my pom pom crab, lost it though.
    Scarlet, Blue leg are a couple of my fav’s with “jobs” as cleanup crew.
    Can’t seem to keep enough to maintain an emerald yet. Have lost of couple.
    Was curious about the strawberry crab vs the emerald.

    Reply
  22. Christopher Burns says

    November 26, 2019 at 10:09 pm

    i love my hermits

    Reply
  23. Dallas Tippie says

    November 27, 2019 at 12:34 am

    Be careful with crabs — they can be coral eaters!

    Reply
  24. Dallas Tippie says

    November 27, 2019 at 12:35 am

    Be careful with crabs!

    Reply
  25. Brett says

    November 27, 2019 at 8:44 am

    mmmmm crabs!

    Reply
  26. whwhunt says

    November 27, 2019 at 10:55 am

    Have had some great success with some hermit crabs as part of my clean up crew.

    Reply
  27. dcallahan56789 says

    November 27, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    have 3 emerald crabs in my reef to control the bubble algae. i may try vibrant. crabs do a great job but still have some hanging around..

    Reply
  28. aaron says

    November 27, 2019 at 6:07 pm

    there was some info I did not know bout crabs thank you

    Reply
  29. Michgander reefer says

    November 28, 2019 at 11:17 am

    I love the crabs in my tank adding a pom pom crab next

    Reply
  30. Tim Kubajak says

    November 28, 2019 at 5:07 pm

    Crabs are interesting and fun to watch

    Reply
    • Wes Spangler says

      November 29, 2019 at 8:21 pm

      My favorite hermit crab I had was a Halloween hermit

      Reply
  31. Richard Gorelick says

    November 28, 2019 at 5:59 pm

    Electric blue hermits and halloween hermits are some of my favorite inverts.

    Reply
  32. Echo says

    November 28, 2019 at 9:36 pm

    I love crabs!

    Reply
  33. Max Renaud says

    November 28, 2019 at 9:48 pm

    I have an emerald crab. She’s a workhorse.

    Reply
  34. cassi.klaasen says

    November 29, 2019 at 9:29 am

    Sebastian !!! lol just kidding – cant wait to have a tank big enough for crabs

    Reply
  35. Wes Spangler says

    November 29, 2019 at 8:18 pm

    I pulled out all my hermit crabs because they kept killing my trochus snails for their shells.

    Reply
  36. Wesley Spangler says

    November 29, 2019 at 8:31 pm

    + 1 on electric blues and Halloween’s. I pulled the ones I had bc they had killed some of my trochus for their shells but may add some to my nano with only smaller snails.

    Reply
  37. Wesley Spangler says

    November 29, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    I like the glass shells are really cool looking, but imagine it wouldnt take long for coraline to cover it

    Reply
  38. Luis Aceves says

    November 30, 2019 at 3:16 pm

    Need to order an emerald. I have hermits.

    Reply
  39. James says

    November 30, 2019 at 9:11 pm

    Prefer snails to hermits but have a few for diversity.

    Reply
  40. dcallahan56789 says

    December 1, 2019 at 8:07 pm

    Are the clear shells people use for hermit crabs safe for them? just wondering..

    Reply
    • Chadwick Horn says

      December 23, 2019 at 11:53 am

      Hermits have been known to host in garbage, so any shell-shaped thing will work.

      Reply
  41. Dalbir Singh says

    December 23, 2019 at 6:32 pm

    Good info

    Reply
  42. patburns99 says

    December 26, 2019 at 2:46 pm

    Love crabs. Have numerous types but learned about others in this blog

    Reply
  43. Lisa says

    January 20, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    I live spider crabs. We had a large cool one for a long time.

    Reply

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