Crabs

56 species

Crabs are fascinating and diverse invertebrates that can make interesting additions to a saltwater aquarium. They belong to the order Decapoda and are known for their distinctive exoskeletons and pincers (chelae). Crabs come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, making them appealing to hobbyists. Some popular types of crabs kept in aquariums include Diogenidae, Mithracidae, and Porcellanidae. Each species has unique behaviors and requirements, so it's essential to research their specific needs before adding them to your tank.

Crabs play a crucial role in the aquarium ecosystem by helping to keep the tank clean. Many species are scavengers, feeding on detritus, algae, and leftover food, which helps to maintain water quality. However, it's important to note that some crabs can be aggressive or predatory, potentially harming other tank inhabitants such as fish, corals, or smaller invertebrates. Therefore, compatibility with existing tank mates should be carefully considered.

When keeping crabs, providing adequate hiding spots and a suitable environment is essential. Additionally, crabs often molt, shedding their exoskeleton to grow. During this time, they are vulnerable, and it's crucial to ensure they have safe places to hide. Overall, crabs can be a rewarding addition to a saltwater aquarium, offering both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits.

  1. Orangutan Crab (Achaeus Japonicus) on coral, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
    Common name: Orangutan Crab
    Scientific name: Achaeus japonicus
  2. Squat lobsters and whip coral goby
    Common name: Elegant squat lobster
    Scientific name: Allogalathea elegans
  3. Closeup portrait of Hermit Crab (Pagurus samuelis) on sand in Corcovado National Park, Panama.
    Common name: Blueband Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Calcinus californiensis
  4. Elegant Hermit Crab (Aniculus elegans)
    Common name: Electric Blue hermit crab
    Scientific name: Calcinus elegans
  5. Close-up of hermit crab Calcinus laevimanus
    Common name: Hawaiian hermit
    Scientific name: Calcinus laevimanus
  6. Common name: orangeclaw hermit
    Scientific name: Calcinus tibicen
  7. Camposcia retusa, known commonly as the spider decorator crab
    Common name: Spider Decorator Crab
    Scientific name: Camposcia retusa
  8. Carpilius convexus EG-14
    Common name: Variable Coral Crab
    Scientific name: Carpilius convexus
  9. Seven-Eleven Crab in Hawaii
    Common name: Seven-eleven Crab
    Scientific name: Carpilius maculatus
  10. Spider Squat Lobster (Chirostylus dolichopus) at Santa Sofia II dive site in Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte, Philippines.  Underwater photography and travel.
    Common name: Spider Squat Lobster
    Scientific name: Chirostylus dolichopus
  11. Halloween Hermit Crab, Ringelsocken-Einsiedlerkrebs (Ciliopagurus strigatus)
    Common name: Halloween hermit crab
    Scientific name: Ciliopagurus strigatus
  12. Red Legged Hermit Crab in Mexico beach sand
    Common name: Mexican Red-Leg Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Clibanarius digueti
  13. Clibanarius tricolor, hermit crab
    Common name: Blue-legged Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Clibanarius rutilus
  14. Clibanarius tricolor, hermit crab
    Common name: tricolor hermit
    Scientific name: Clibanarius tricolor
  15. Decorator Spider Crab, Turberkel Spinnenkrabbe (Cyclocoeloma tuberculata)
    Common name: Corallimorph Decorator Crab
    Scientific name: Cyclocoeloma tuberculata
  16. Hermit crab, Dardanus guttatus.
    Common name: Blue-Spotted hermit crab
    Scientific name: Dardanus guttatus
  17. Hermit Crab - Dardanus lagopodes
    Common name: hairy red hermit crab
    Scientific name: Dardanus lagopodes
  18. Weiss-Gepunkteter Einsiedlerkrebs - Dardanus megistos
    Common name: White-spotted hermit crab
    Scientific name: Dardanus megistos
  19. Anemone hermit crab
    Common name: Anemone Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Dardanus pedunculatus
  20. Reef Lobster, Enoplometopus daumi, a small tropical reef lobster with red and purple coloring, enoplometopus debelius
    Common name: Debelius reef lobster
    Scientific name: Enoplometopus debelius
  21. Common name: bullseye reef lobster
    Scientific name: Enoplometopus holthuisi
  22. Red reef lobster, Enoplometopus occidentalis, Hawaii, USA
    Common name: red reef lobster
    Scientific name: Enoplometopus occidentalis
  23. Common name: Marley's Gnathiid
    Scientific name: Gnathia marleyi
  24. Egyptian sea star
    Common name: Egyptian sea star
    Scientific name: Gomophia egyptiaca
  25. Starfish
    Common name: Egg Cowrie
    Scientific name: Gomophia watsoni
  26. Peacock Mantis Shrimp
    Common name: Peacock Mantis Shrimp
    Scientific name: Gonodactylus bredini
  27. Spider crab, inachus phalangium and snakelocks anemone
    Common name: anemone spider crab
    Scientific name: Inachus phalangium
  28. scuba diving lembeh indonesia spotted porcelain crab underwater
    Common name: Spotted Porcelain Crab
    Scientific name: Janira maculosa
  29. Common name: Rough Box Crab
    Scientific name: Latreillia valida
  30. Hairy Squat Lobster
    Common name: Hairy squat lobster
    Scientific name: Lauriea siagiani
  31. Horseshoe Crab
    Common name: Horseshoe crab
    Scientific name: Limulus polyphemus
  32. Harlequin swimming crab or Lissocarcinus laevis
    Common name: Harlequin Crab
    Scientific name: Lissocarcinus laevis
  33. Sea cucumber crab Lissocarcinus orbicularis
    Common name: sea cucumber crab
    Scientific name: Lissocarcinus orbicularis
  34. Cangrejo boxeador / Lybia tessellata
    Common name: Mosaic Boxer Crab
    Scientific name: Lybia tessellata
  35. Common name: nodose clinging crab
    Scientific name: Mithraculus coryphe
  36. Green clinging crab Mithraculus sculptus
    Common name: green clinging crab
    Scientific name: Mithraculus sculptus
  37. Common name: Bull Crab
    Scientific name: Naxioides taurus
  38. Paguro rosso (Paguristes Cadenati)
    Common name: red reef hermit
    Scientific name: Paguristes cadenati
  39. HERMIT CRAB pagurus bernhardus LIVING IN A SHELL
    Common name: common hermit crab
    Scientific name: Pagurus bernhardus
  40. sohal surgeonfish Acanthurus sohal sohal tang  Red Sea endemic striking blue and white horizontal stripes have made it what many consider the 'poster fish' for the Red Sea reef environment
    Common name: Sohal Tang
    Scientific name: Paraferdina sohariae
  41. Percnon gibbesi, urchin crab or nimble spray crab, Costa Blanca, Spain
    Common name: nimble spray crab
    Scientific name: Percnon gibbesi
  42. Flat rock crab , Percnon planissimum rests on coral of Bali
    Common name: flat rock crab
    Scientific name: Percnon planissimum
  43. Haig`s Porcelain Crab, Porzellankrabbe auf Seefeder (Porcellanella haigae)
    Common name: banded porcelain crab
    Scientific name: Petrolisthes galathinus
  44. Common name: red-striped hermit
    Scientific name: Phimochirus holthuisi
  45. Common name: polkadotted hermit
    Scientific name: Phimochirus operculatus
  46. Common name: bristly crab
    Scientific name: Pilumnus hirtellus
  47. Marble shrimp
    Common name: common marble shrimp
    Scientific name: Saron marmoratus
  48. Common name: eyespot shrimp
    Scientific name: Saron neglectus
  49. Arrow crabs (Stenorhynchus lanceolatus) crawling around club tipped anemone (Telmatactis cricoides)
    Common name: Yellowline Arrow Crab
    Scientific name: Stenorhynchus lanceolatus
  50. Stenorhynchus seticornis, yellowline arrow crab
    Common name: yellowline arrow crab
    Scientific name: Stenorhynchus seticornis
  51. Red spotted Coral Crab, Trapezia rufopunctata, is a species of guard crabs in the family Trapeziidae
    Common name: Spotted Trapezia Crab
    Scientific name: Trapezia guttata
  52. Coral crab, Trapezia rufopunctata, hiding between branches of hard coral. Kritimati Island, Kribati.
    Common name: Red-Spotted Coral crab
    Scientific name: Trapezia rufopunctata
  53. Tiger coral crab (Trapezia tigrina) Taking in Red Sea, Egypt.;
    Common name: Red Spotted Coral Crab
    Scientific name: Trapezia tigrina
  54. Conical crab, Xenocarcinus conicus, is a species of True Crab in the family Epialtidae
    Common name: Conical Spider Crab
    Scientific name: Xenocarcinus conicus
  55. Xeno crab (Xenocarcinus tuberculatus) on its whip coral host in the Lembeh Straits of Indonesia
    Common name: Decorated Crab
    Scientific name: Xenocarcinus tuberculatus
  56. Zebra Urchin Crab (Zebrida adamsii)
    Common name: Zebra crab
    Scientific name: Zebrida adamsii