Common name: Hawaiian hermit

Scientific name: Calcinus laevimanus (J. W. Randall, 1840)
Close-up of hermit crab Calcinus laevimanus

General information

The Left-Handed Hermit Crab, Calcinus laevimanus, is a popular invertebrate in the reef aquarium hobby due to its striking appearance and beneficial scavenging habits. It is characterized by its distinctive large white or yellow left claw, which is much larger than the right, and its blue eyes on stalks. This species is often found in the Indo-Pacific region.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
38 liter (10 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.022 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
5 cm (2″)
Care level
Easy Sheds limbs to escape predators
Diet
Omnivore Eats algae, detritus, leftover food
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Arthropods
    Arthropoda
  3. Class
    Malacostracans
    Malacostraca
  4. Order
    Decapods
    Decapoda
  5. Family
    Hermit Crabs
    Diogenidae
  6. Genus
    Hermit Crabs
    Calcinus
  7. Species
    Hawaiian hermit
    Calcinus laevimanus (J. W. Randall, 1840)
  8. Synonyms
    Calcinus herbstei Fourmanoir, 1952
    Calcinus herbsti Fize & Serene, 1955
    Calcinus herbsti lividus Borradaile, 1898
    Calcinus herbstii de Man, 1888
    Calcinus herbstii lividus Alcock, 1905
    Calcinus lividus (H. Milne Edwards, 1848)
    Pagurus laevimanus Randall, 1840
    Pagurus levimanus Stimpson, 1858
    Pagurus lividus H. Milne Edwards, 1848
    Pagurus tibicen H. Milne Edwards, 1836

Care

Calcinus laevimanus is relatively easy to care for. It requires a tank with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate where it can forage for detritus and uneaten food. This hermit crab also needs access to an assortment of empty shells of various sizes to move into as it grows.

Reproduction

In the home aquarium, breeding Calcinus laevimanus is quite challenging and rarely occurs. In the wild, they have a complex life cycle that includes a planktonic larval stage.

Symbiosis

While not involved in the classic symbiotic relationships like clownfish with anemones, hermit crabs do play an important role in the cleanup crew of a reef tank, helping to keep the substrate clean and aerated.

Habitat

The natural habitat of the Left-Handed Hermit Crab includes rocky shores, coral reefs, and rubble areas where it can find food and shelter. They are commonly found at depths where hobbyist divers frequent, making them a familiar sight to many.