5.6 Possible Problems a Mantis Shrimp b bristle worms
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This article is from the ReefKeepers FAQ, by several authors (see the Credits section).
5.6 Possible Problems a Mantis Shrimp b bristle worms
*5.7 Hermit Crabs
************BY Gregory Schiemer*************************
The hermit crabs I'm listing are the ones that I know are safe
inhabitants for a reef aquarium. They are all relatively small (less
than one inch), eat algae, will not bother other invertebrates or fish
(although they occasionally each other during molts), are mostly
active at night, are generally long-lived, and definitely fun to
watch. All have been offered for sale at one time or another, but
never regularly. So, here they are:
>From the Caribbean and Tropical Atlantic:
-Red Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati)- A bright red body and legs
with yellow eye stalks. Very pretty, but active usually after the
lights go out. Found onl y on the reef as solitary individuals, never
in aggregations. My personal favorite. They gently remove
micro-algae from in and around corals and polyps. Gr Usually stays on
the rocks, but will sift through the substrate.
-Orange-Claw Hermit (Calcinus tibicen)-Has a dark red or orange body
with one slightly enlarged claw. Found both on coral reefs and rocky
substrates, never i n large numbers. Very good at eating micro-algae
and some macro-algae. Bolder than the Red Hermit, as it will be active
during the day. Grows to one inch. Spends almost all of it's time on
the rocks.
-Polkadotted Hermit (Phimochirus operculatus)-Has a distinctive
polkadot red an d white, greatly enlarged claw, and blue eyes. Found
on coral reefs. This is probably the most aggressive and active of the
small hermits. Also eats algae and sifts through the substrate. Grows
to about one inch.
-Red-Stripe Hermit (Phimochirus holthuisi)-Similar to the Polkadotted
Hermit. Found on coral reefs. Active and bold. Will eat algae and
anything else it ca n gets it's claws on, but doesn't seem to bother
corals. Grows to about one inch.
-Red, White and Blue Hermit (Paguristes sp.?)-Blue legs with a touch
of red, white and black. Found in large aggregations in the sand
along the shore line. This is the crab that is being sold in quantity
from Florida dealers. They are active all day, but more so at
night. They will feed on detritus and micro-algae. Bolder and m not
as much as the Polkadotted Hermit. They will occasionally climb on
corals, but apparently cause no harm. It's strange that although they
are collecin the sand, mine have spent the majority of their time on
the rocks in the aquarium. Grows to about three-quarters of an inch.
>From the Pacific (including Mexico):
-Red-Leg Hermit (Calcinus californiensis)-Has rrange legs and a
greenish black body. Found on rocky inshore substrates in large
aggregations. Will eat micro-algae and other bits of food missed by
the fish. More active at night, but will forage when the lights are
on. Relatively bold and aggressive. Grows to about three-quarters of
an inch.
-Blue-Eye Hermit (Paguristes sanguinimanus)-Orange body with bright
blue eyes. Found on sand flats and patch reefs in aggregations. Good
micro-algae eater. Grows to about one-half inch.
-Blue-Spotted Hermit (Clibanarius digueti)-Reddish-brown legs with
bluish spots . Found on rocky inshore substrates where it feeds on
algae. Grows to only one-half inch.
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