Blue-Leg Hermit Crab

Clibanarius tricolor

A tiny house-hunter that trades up to a bigger shell as it grows. Part of every good reef clean-up crew.

A peaceful saltwater crab that grows to 3 cm, lives near the bottom and needs 23–28 °C, pH 7.9–8.5 and an aquarium of at least 20 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Saltwater

Temperature

23–28 °C (73–82 °F)

pH

7.9–8.5

Adult size

3 cm (1.2 in)

Aquarium

20 L or bigger (5 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Caribbean shallows

Good to know

• Algae eater. Keeps algae under control.
• Bottom crawler. Walks along the substrate.
• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.

Tank mates

Good company: Banggai Cardinalfish, Firefish Goby, Green Chromis, Harlequin Shrimp, Neon Goby, Ocellaris Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Yellow Watchman Goby, Yellowtail Damselfish.

Eaten by: Clown Triggerfish, Flame Hawkfish, Golden Dwarf Moray, Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Porcupine Puffer, Six-Line Wrasse, Snowflake Moray.

It gets along with every other species that doesn't eat it.

Colours

• Classic common
• Scarlet Reef uncommon

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.