Family

Common name: Hermit Crabs

Scientific name: Paguridae

Paguridae, commonly known as hermit crabs, comprise a family of crustaceans that are notable for their habit of living in secondhand shells. These adaptable creatures are a favorite among reef hobbyists for their scavenging abilities, helping to keep the substrate clean by consuming detritus, leftover food, and decomposing organic matter. They exhibit a wide range of sizes and colors, and their social behavior can be quite entertaining to observe. Hermit crabs are generally peaceful but may fight over shells. It's important to provide a variety of shell sizes to prevent aggression.

  1. Stahorn Hermit Crab with Staghorn Hydrocoral
    Common name: Red Sea Feather Star
    Scientific name: Manucomplanus varians
  2. Hermit crab, Pagurus bernhardus, crawling on the sand beach in close up with focus on front pink body parts against a blurred background
    Common name: common hermit crab
    Scientific name: Pagurus bernhardus
  3. A solitary figure stands in the shadows, her striking black and red striped bodysuit capturing a powerful combination of art, emotion, and wild style
    Common name: red-striped hermit
    Scientific name: Phimochirus holthuisi
  4. Common name: polkadotted hermit
    Scientific name: Phimochirus operculatus