This video posted up by an “internet buddy” of Nat Tarbox goes to show why I hate crabs for aquariums. In the video you’ll see Mr. Crab walk around, become curious of the camera and as Nat points out, around the 1:50 start to turn mean. This in a nutshell is why I hate crabs. They are mean. They look cute and nice, but they are evil and will eat your fish and pick and then kill your corals for fun. I’m not sure who decided that we all need crabs in our aquariums. I’m sure it was someone selling us on the fact that they help with “scavenging” the leftover food and what not. But I am one that refuses to have any crabs walking around on my aquarium sandbed. The only crabs I like, are ones severed with butter from the New England area. Do you have crabs in your aquarium?
Strawberry Crab
(Liomera sp.)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 2″
Color Form: Red
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Hawaii
Family: Xanthidae
The Strawberry Crab, also known as the Red Boxing Crab, originates from the pristine waters of Hawaii. They are bright pink with many small white spots. Their front claws, which they use to feed, are blunt and flat on the inside of the hinge. This design makes it very easy for the crab to pick algae from the rocks.
Strawberry Crabs thrive in invertebrate-friendly saltwater aquariums with live rock. They are peaceful, personable, and will generally get along with other invertebrates or fish. Plus, as omnivores, they not only control unwanted algae growth, but will also feed upon uneaten food. If you’re looking for a fun, interesting addition to a new or existing cleaning crew, the Strawberry Crab is an ideal choice.
If insufficient algae are present in the aquarium, the diet should be supplemented with both herbivorous and meaty foods.
The Staghorn Hermit Crab, sometimes called the Antler Hermit, or Coralhouse Hermit Crab is an unusual crab that requires specialized care by the more advanced hobbyist, and is well suited for the biotope or DSB (deep sand bed) refugium. These hermits are found along the reef faces and coral rubble zones throughout the Indo-Pacific. They scavenge animal matter and algae.
The Staghorn Hermit Crab lives in a branching shell that is covered with hydroids and bryozoans. The crab itself is a hardy companion for the aquarium, but the shell that it resides in requires specialized care. This shell has multiple branches that resemble the branching SPS coral Acropora. Because of its shell, this crab may not be able to right itself if it were to fall on its back, and will be stung and damaged by corals and anemones in the reef aquarium.
Staghorn hermits are best kept in a biotope system with other filter feeding invertebrates, or in a refugium where the hydroids and bryozoans on its shell can be fed properly with types of live or prepared plankton foods. The biotope system or refugium is an ideal location due to the fact the shell must not come in contact with stinging corals and anemones. The crab itself will graze on algae, and if there is an insufficient supply to eat, supplement the diet with offerings of dried seaweed.
The Porcelain Crab is common throughout the tropical oceans of the world, and has a flat, round body with two large front claws. They are brown and orange in coloration with bright blue spots. These crabs have a pair of front arms called maxillipeds, which have ends that are feather-like in appearance. They use these appendages to filter the water for any passing food. They are peaceful and interesting invertebrates for the marine aquarium.
Porcelain Crabs live together in pairs typically found within or under rocks in nature. The ideal aquarium will contain plenty of live rock for both hiding and feeding, and will not contain any fish or invertebrates that may bring harm to these peaceful invertebrates. They are reef safe, and will not harm other invertebrates or corals.
The Porcelain Crab constantly filters the water for planktonic food, but will also scavenge for larger meaty portions. Offer the crab small bits of fish, shrimp or meaty food, as well as foods designed for filter feeders.
Halloween Hermit Crab
(Ciliopagurus strigatus)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 2″
Color Form: Orange, Red
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Hawaii
Family: Diogenidae
Swim Level: Bottom
The Halloween Hermit Crab, with its vibrant orange and red banding, stands out as a member of your aquarium cleanup crew. Originating from the Hawaiian Islands, the Halloween Hermit Crab boasts attractive color variegation and is a beautiful accent to the marine aquarium. The Halloween Hermit Crab is a very useful aquarium cleaner that helps maintain a healthy aquarium environment by eating any left over food that may settle on the substrate.
Adding further value, the Halloween Hermit Crab is known to efficiently eat algae including green hair algae and cyanobacteria. It also provides a valuable service of aerating aquarium substrate by sifting through the sand. Be aware that as the Halloween Hermit Crab attains a large size, this lumbering scavenger may disrupt rockwork or corals in reef aquariums. The Halloween Hermit Crab lives in abandoned snail or triton shells and may resort to attacking and eating a snail so it can use the shell for its home. To prevent this from happening, provide the Halloween Hermit Crab empty shells of assorted shapes and size.
If there is an insufficient amount of algae present, the Halloween Hermit Crab will need to be fed dried seaweed, as well as meaty items such as mysis shrimp.
