Pavement Ponderings

Funnily enough Hermit crabs were great pets for both adults and children alike for numerous years, and there are a large number who love their unique aesthitics (and just as many don’t – it is a matter of taste). With the rising interest of bringing a piece of the ocean inside the home it is no wonder that the idea of putting hermit crabs into a saltwater tank has been rising in popularity.

Just as there’s a large number of sorts of hermit crabs that can be used as pets, so too are there numerous various breeds that can be kept in tanks. Not every one of them have the exact same opportunity for survival when held in captivity however, and it’s important that the aquarium owner make sure that they’re versed with all their specific requirements prior to being introduced to the aquarium. Below is a list of a few of the most common types of hermit crabs.

Red Hermit Crab (Dardanus megistos) – Also known as the White Spotted Hermit Crab the crab has red legs that have black edged dots. It’s not a safe addition to a reef aquarium, although it’s very useful for keeping the growth of algea down in a community aquarium. Just one hermit crap to an aquarium is enough – these crabs are very protective of their own area.

Red Legged Hermit Crab (Clibanarius digueti) – These Mexican hermit crabs are a good addition to any aquarium, consuming algae from your aquarium. These require a low level of copper in the water however, as their bodies cannot survive while in proximity of this metallic substance.

Scarlet Hermit Crab, or Reef Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati) – This particular hermit crab in the main stays tiny, about 2 ins across, and has a red body with yellow eye stalks. They are very helpful for keeping the growth of algae inside your aquarium controlled – but, if there’s not enough algae about within your tank they need to be be supplied with dried seaweed.

Common Hermit Crab (Pagurus bernhardus) – Crabs of this nature are much more frequent within Europe, however may be located in other countries as well.

Also known as the soldier crab.

Since these crabs carry their homes about using their backs it’s essential that they frequently have brand new shells at their disposal if they’ve outgrown their previous shell. A hermit crab in a poorly sized shell cannot grow right. These shells can be purchased from a pet store or an online retailer or, if the owner is familiar with the requirements of their hermit crabs, these shells may frequently be located on a shoreline. If the aquarium owner opts to head out into the wild and collect their own shells it is necessary that they select the right sort of shell for their hermit crab to inhabit. As sea anemones are often an essential section of a crab’s natural environment they make excellent tank mates, eating what is left over as the crab has completed a meal and cutting back on the amount of tank waste.

Hermit crabs are an interesting integration for every tank, and require very little maintenance once the owners understand their requirements as well as their traits. With the correct looking after they may survive for quite a while, providing endless hours of pleasure for both their keepers and their households.