Description
Also called Hermit Crab and Polka Dot Crab Hermit, Polka Dot One Claw Crab, Hermit of the Polkadot Reef. A tiny recluse. The right claw has grown considerably. White polka dots with a maroon to orange base are used. White is the pincer. When fully extended inside the shell, the broad pincer completely encloses the entrance and resembles a turbo snail. Anomura crabs are regarded as false crabs because of their larger abdomen and modified or shortened back legs, which are hardly apparent.
Distribution
These are widely distributed in West Atlantic and Caribbean. They have a terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitat.
Behavior
The nature of these crabs is peaceful. Coral reefs are discovered both during the day and at night, over debris, sand, seagrass, and shell beds.
Keeping as Pet
Will not bother other fish in the tank, but may hunt for snails’ shells. They will consume a variety of algae, such as red slime algae. Add dried seaweed as a supplement if there isn’t enough algae already present.
Compared to other crabs, like our blue leg hermit crabs, these are a little bigger. To give you an idea of the overall stock, we advise 4–10 of these hermit crabs in a 30 gallon aquarium. They are thought to be safe for the reef and for our captive-bred seahorses.
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