More on Marine Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs are classified into land and marinedigueti, but they are known as scarlet reef hermit
according to their choice of habitats. The amazingcrabs. The electric blue crabs are the crabs of the
fact that connects the land and marine crabs is thatCalcius elegans species.
both of these are born in a marine habitat. ThoseWhen setting up an aqua-system for the marine
that are land dwellers slowly leave their marinehermit crabs, remember not to fill the complete
dwellings to go and live on land and those that areenclosure with water. The tank should have
marine dwellers continue living on their native marineconsiderable air space at the top, because these
environment. The marine hermit crabs have severalcrabs love to rest in the air. Rockfaces are essential
distinct characters that separate them from theirwhile setting up the aqua-system, and make sure
neighbors in land.that the rock faces have contours and curves for
Of the many hundreds of marine hermit species, onlythe these exotic creatures to take rest or go for
a few have bonded with human beings to live theirmolting. Besides, the rock faces will also provide
adult life in the captivity of an aquarium. Each ofchallenging climbing expeditions for the crabs, as
these species is different and individualistic in theirthese little crustaceans are very fond of climbing.
choice of shell and their preferences for alkalinity inMaintain a sufficient mixture of sand and gravel (with
water. Before placing any of the marine crabs in anmore percentage of sand than gravel) in the
aquarium, the aquarist must take care that the nativesaltwater aquarium. The water should be
conditions of the hermit crab species are properlydechlorinated and free from pesticides and excessive
replicated inside the aquarium. However, if you aremineral deposits of phosphates, nitrites and nitrates.
planning to keep crabs of different marine species inYou will also need a basic idea about the nitrogen
the same aquarium, then you can maintain a generalcycle in the aqua system and the maintenance of the
condition that will be comfortable for all thenitrogen cycle. Relevant information regarding the
inhabitants of the aquarium. The specifics of thenitrogen cycle is available at
general living condition inside a crab aquarium can beYou will also need instruments like the thermometer
found later in this article.and the hygrometer to maintain the temperature and
The different marine hermit crabs species that arespecific gravity of the aquarium. Experts suggest that
commonly kept in aquariums are the Clibanariusthe ideal specific gravity range should be 1.022-1.0240
tricolor, Pagurus bernhardus, Clibanarius digueti,and the salinity of the water should ideally be 30-40
Paguristes cadenati, and Calcius elegans. Some otherppt.
Clibanarius species like the Clibanarius snelliusi,These exotic creatures are omnivorous and their
Clibanarius signatus, Clibanarius erythropus. Thefood choice is simple and easily available as the
members of the clibanarius genus can be identified byaquarium store. Common food items for them are
the fluorescent colorings on them and also by theirshed exoskeleton, green algae, organic remains and
unique left handedness. They are the only hermitfish flakes. The crab sheds its exoskeleton during
crab species that have a highly ornamented andmolting. Marine crabs molt very fast, within a couple
enlarged left claw, instead of an enlarged right claw.of minutes, which is in sharp contrast to the behavior
The C tricolor are called the blue legged crabs andof the land species, who take around a month to
the C. digueti are known as red legged hermits. Themolt.
Paguristes cadenati are also red in color like the