Common name: orangeclaw hermit
General information
The Blue-legged Hermit Crab, Calcinus tibicen, is a popular invertebrate widely kept in marine aquariums. Its vibrant blue legs, which give it its common name, make it a visually appealing addition to the reef tank. This species is known for its scavenging habits, helping to keep the aquarium clean by consuming detritus, leftover food, and algae.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 75 liter (20 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.023 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 27 °C (72 to 81 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 12 cm (5″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumArthropodsArthropoda
- ClassMalacostracansMalacostraca
- OrderDecapodsDecapoda
- FamilyHermit CrabsDiogenidae
- GenusHermit CrabsCalcinus
- Speciesorangeclaw hermitCalcinus tibicen (J. F. W. Herbst, 1791)
- SynonymsCalcinus formosus Neumann, 1878Calcinus sulcatus H. Milne Edwards, 1836
Care
Blue-legged Hermit Crabs are relatively easy to care for. They require a tank with plenty of live rock and substrate to scavenge on and hide in. It's important to provide a variety of shell sizes for them to move into as they grow. They are generally peaceful but may become aggressive towards other hermit crabs when competing for shells.
Reproduction
In the home aquarium, reproduction of Calcinus tibicen is rare. In the wild, after a mating ritual, females carry fertilized eggs on their abdomen until they hatch into free-swimming larvae.
Habitat
Calcinus tibicen is commonly found in the Caribbean Sea and its surrounding areas, inhabiting shallow reefs and seagrass beds. They are often seen in groups, scavenging for food and suitable shells.