Common name: Hawaiian hermit
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
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumArthropodsArthropoda
- ClassMalacostracansMalacostraca
- OrderDecapodsDecapoda
- FamilyHermit CrabsDiogenidae
- GenusHermit CrabsCalcinus
- SpeciesHawaiian hermitCalcinus laevimanus (J. W. Randall, 1840)
- SynonymsCalcinus herbstei Fourmanoir, 1952Calcinus herbsti Fize & Serene, 1955Calcinus herbsti lividus Borradaile, 1898Calcinus herbstii de Man, 1888Calcinus herbstii lividus Alcock, 1905Calcinus lividus (H. Milne Edwards, 1848)Pagurus laevimanus Randall, 1840Pagurus levimanus Stimpson, 1858Pagurus lividus H. Milne Edwards, 1848Pagurus 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.