Common name: Blue-Spotted hermit crab

General information

The Spotted Hermit Crab, Dardanus guttatus, is a distinctive and attractive invertebrate commonly found in the marine aquarium trade. It is known for its striking spotted appearance and the interesting behavior of carrying various anemones on its shell for protection. This species is a scavenger and can play a beneficial role in the aquarium by consuming detritus, uneaten food, and algae, helping to keep the tank clean.

Care

Spotted Hermit Crabs are relatively easy to care for and can be a great addition to a community tank. 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 larger empty shells for the crab to move into as it grows. They are generally peaceful but may fight with other hermit crabs for shells or territory.

Reproduction

In the home aquarium, breeding Spotted Hermit Crabs is quite rare. In the wild, after mating, females release larvae into the water column, which go through several planktonic stages before settling down and finding a suitable shell to inhabit.

Symbiosis

Spotted Hermit Crabs are known for their symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. They often carry anemones on their shells, which provide protection with their stinging cells. In return, the anemones benefit from increased mobility and access to food particles generated by the crab's scavenging.

Habitat

This species is typically found in tropical reef environments, often in shallow waters. They are distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific.