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Information at
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Crabs
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Crabs are a must
have cleaner for reef aquariums. They keep problems like hair
algae, bubble algae, and excess food (detritus) under control. |
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Red Scarlet Reef
Hermit Crabs
Scarlets are an important component
in any reef cleaning crew.
Scarlet Hermit Crabs are very hardy and requires
minimal care in a well-established system. They have a voracious
appetite for detritus and are particularly fond of filamentous,
hair, and slime algae, as well as the dreaded cyanobacteria.
Also, extremely important, unlike some hermit crabs, most Scarlet
Reef Hermit Crabs are very peaceful towards their tankmates.
Native to the reef faces and coral rubble of the Caribbean and
Western Atlantic, these active scavengers can consume large amounts
of animal matter and algae. Despite their large appetites and
constant feeding habits, the Scarlet Reef only grows to an adult
size of 1-1/2" in length. In the home aquarium, Paguristes
cadenati is best kept in an established reef system with ample
algae supplies. However, they will eat almost anything, including
fish food and invertebrate diets. If algae levels are insufficient,
supplement their diet with dried seaweed and other marine foods.
As with all invertebrates, they do not tolerate copper-based
medications and extreme fluctuations in water parameters. Also,
take special care to ensure an invert friendly tank free of predators
that would eat them.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2" to 1" |
REEF SAFE
$2.99 each
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Blue Leg Reef
Hermit Crabs
Blue Leg's
take care of diatoms,
hair algae, and red slime too!!
Dwarf Blue Leg hermit
crabs are one of the most popular scavengers in the aquarium
trade. Known for their small size, beautiful colors and excellent
reef combatibility, they are able to reach tight crevices and
polish off the detritus and algae that bigger inverts cannot
get to. They will scour the sand and live rock in search of food
and leave the tank virtually nitrate-free. They make excellent
tank cleaners and a great addition to your clean-up crew. They
have bright blue striped legs with orange antennas.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1/4" to 1/2" |
REEF SAFE
$1.29 each
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Mexican Red Leg
Reef Hermit Crabs
Chibanarius
digueti
These red
legged crabs are very effective at eating hair algae and other
nuisance algaes.
Description:The Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab is a voracious
scavenger. Like its Blue Leg cousin, the Dwarf Red Tip Hermit
Crab serves as an ideal member of your marine or reef aquarium's
cleanup crew. Also known simply as the Red Tip Hermit Crab, totally
Reef safe, this omnivore will scavenge all over your live rock
and sand substrate - finding its way into the tightest of spaces
- to feed on algae and detritus.
Food and
diet:The Dwarf Red Tip Hermit
Crab is best kept in a reef-style aquarium where it will have
ample supplies of algae to eat. It is very helpful in keeping
reef tank algae under control, including troublesome filamentous
algae and Cyanobacteria. If there is insufficient algae to eat,
their diet must be supplemented with dried seaweed. They will
also accept many other types of foods.
Recommended
minimum tank size: 1 gallon
or larger
Level of
Care: Easy
Approximate
Purchase Size: 1/2"
to 1"
Reef Compatibility:Very good |
REEF SAFE
$1.29 each
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Emerald Crabs
(Mithrax Sculptus)
Excellent Algae Eater
including troublesome Bubble Algae!
Green Emerald Crabs
are reef-safe algae eaters and an excellent addition to your
cleaner crew. They are one of the few inverts that will eat nuisance
bubble algae which makes them very popular among reef keepers.
It will also feed on uneaten meaty foods and many of the types
of nuisance algae found in reef aquariums. Its distinct, flat
shiny green body and hairy legs easily identify the Emerald Mithrax
Crab. They have dull tipped claws that they use to pick various
types of algae from the rockwork. Native to the reefs of the
Caribbean, the Emerald Mithrax Crab is nocturnal and hide in
caves and amongst rock and coral during the day. In the home
aquarium, it requires a well-established aquarium with plenty
of rockwork and hiding places. Care needs to be taken to ensure
an ample supply of food is available for the Emerald Mithrax
Crab. Many supplement their diet with dried seaweed and chopped
meaty foods, such as shrimp, and/or a quality pellet fish food.
Like other invertebrates, the Emerald Mithrax does not tolerate
copper-based medications or fluctuating water parameters. Approximate
Purchase Size: 1/2" to 1-1/2"
We rec'd 1 per 25 gallons |
REEF SAFE
$8.99 each
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Horseshoe Crabs
Sand Stirer , Detritus
Eater
The Horseshoe Crab
is very strange in appearance and can be unique captives for
an aquarium. Very hardy , they can be a good choice for beginners.
Horseshoe Crabs are bottom dwellers, and in the wild usually
burrow in mud or sand flats in tidal areas or estuaries. The
Horseshoe Crab is greenish brown to light tan in color. The dorsal
part of the body is rounded, and it has a long spike for a tail.
The Horseshoe Crab is really not a crab, but more closely related
to spiders and mites, belonging to a group of animals called
chelicerates. Horseshoe Crabs can grow quite large. The female
horseshoe crabs usually grow larger than the males, with their
body reaching a maximum size of 12 inches in diameter. When small,
they are very efficient scavengers and are great for aerating
and maintaining sand beds. In the aquarium, your Horseshoe Crab
will not grow that large, and will generally do best in a sandy
substrate. They are very helpful in cleaning an aquarium through
sifting through sand and gravel in search of worms and any organic
debris. It will move the substrate around almost nonstop in its
search for food. The Horseshoe Crab will move about, scavengiong
detritus or other materials that have fallen to the bottom. Although
it may find some food scavenging, its diet should be supplemented
with meaty items such as pieces of squid and shrimp.
Approximate Purchase Size:
Small: 1" to 2"; Medium/Large: 2" to 3" |
REEF SAFE
$14.99 Small
- $18.99 Med/Lrg
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Arrow Crabs
Arrow Crabs are
excellent reef-safe scavengers, and have a spider-like appearance
with long thin legs and an "arrow" shaped head. They
will consume meaty foods, pellet and flake, as well as prey on
bristle and flat worms which makes them highly sought after for
nuisance worm control in the reef aquarium. Their brown and tan
striped body is complimented by long purple-tipped claws, and
are a very hardy crab. Only one should be kept per tank, although
multiple arrow crabs can be kept in a larger tank with lots of
rockwork.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/2" to 3" |
REEF SAFE
$9.99 EACH
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Spotted Porcelain
Crabs
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The Spotted Porcelain
Crab is an exquisite reef safe crab. They
are reef safe, peaceful, and will not harm other invertebrates
or corals. Very interesting invertebrates for the marine aquarium.
Common throughout the tropical oceans of the world, they have
a flat, round body with two large claws and a pair of maxillipeds which
are used to catch plankton in the water column. They are also
algae eaters and enjoy lots of live rock to graze and hide, and
do well in groups. They are light blue in color and covered in
small red spots, with orange tipped legs; a very unique addition
to the reef aquarium. Safely concealed by rocks or coral, the Porcelain Crab constantly filters
the water for planktonic food, but will also scavenge for larger
meaty portions. Offer the crab small bits of fish, shrimp or
meaty food, as well as foods designed for filter feeders. Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2" to 3/4" |
REEF SAFE
$11.99 EACH
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Electric Blue
Hermit Crabs
Calcinus
elegans
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The Electric Blue
Hermit Crab, a very rare find, originates exclusively from the
Marshall Islands. This reef safe crab has electrifying blue legs
with black banding, and its antennae stand out with its bright
orange color. This tiny crab lives in abandoned snail or triton
shells. Also a valuable addition to the reef aquarium because
it will eat algae including green hair algae and cyano bacteria.
In addition, it provides valuable aeration by sifting through
the sand. If there is an insufficient amount of algae present,
the Electric Blue Leg Hermit Crab will need to be fed dried seaweed.Approximate
Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2" |
REEF SAFE
$8.99 each
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Hawaiian
Zebra Hermit Crab
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The Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab gets
its name from its distinct coloration. It has black and white
pincers and the white bands that dress its otherwise dark legs.
Like other members of the genus Calcinus, the Dwarf Zebra Hermit
Crab is very small but boasts an enlarged left claw.The Dwarf
Zebra is found in the inter-tidal areas across the Indo-Pacific
from Africa to Australia to Hawaii. Since they scavenge for detritus
and consume nuisance algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria),
the Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab is a highly desired addition to the
home reef aquarium. If there are insufficient algae in the aquarium,
their diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed. Approximate
Purchase Size: 1/4" to 3/4" |
REEF SAFE
$1.99 each
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Amaze your friends!!
Anemone Carrying
Hermit Crabs
Dardanus
sp.
Anemone Carrying
Hermit Crabs have formed a symbiotic relationship with the anemone
Calliactis polypus with which it shares a home. The anemone attached
to the shell provides camouflage, protection, and the two invertebrates
share food. In the wild, when the crab moves the anemone about
the reef, it helps the anemones disperse. When the crab outgrows
its shell, it will leave it behind and find a new, larger shell
and transfer the anemone on to it or select a larger anemone.
This Hermit Crab prefers an aquarium with large amounts of rock
work and dim light. The Hermit Crab is fairly aggressive and
makes a poor candidate for a reef or peaceful fish aquarium.
It will eat fish, snails, and worms, but also will eat detritus
and some algae. If there is insufficient algae to eat, dried
seaweed should be provided.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/2" to 3" |
REEF SAFE
$0.99 each
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Decorator Spider Crabs
These guys are
carrying sponge & Zooanthus polyps
The Spider Decorator
Crab, also known as Camposcia Decorator Crab or Decorator Crab,
is a member of the Majidae family of spider and decorator crabs.
They will attach clippings of macroalgae, sponges or soft coral
polyps to their backs for camoflauge against predators. They
do not destroy the corals or colonies they clip from, they simply
remove a polyp from a colony and attach it to their back, keeping
it alive in the process. Think of them as mobile frags! Decorator
crabs are another group of very unique crabs. They are completely
reef safe and will not harm any fish or inverts.
Reef Compatability: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will
not bother invertebrates.
Level of
Care: Easy
Approximate
Purchase Size: 1-1/4"
to 1-3/4" |
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REEF SAFE
$9.99 EACH
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Porcelain Anemone
Crabs
Neopetrolisthes ohshimai
The Porcelain Anemone Crab is white
with red spots and/or blotches of red or brown. They have very
large front claws which they use to fend off potential predators.
They are peaceful, and make a wonderful addition to any reef
or invertebrate aquarium.
Like the clown fish, this crab has developed an immunity to anemone
stings. Porcelain Anemone Crabs live together in pairs under
the protection of an anemone. It may attempt to defend its territory
from clownfish that try to establish themselves among the anemone,
although the clownfish generally prevails.It eats planktonic
food and mucus from the anemone. It may be supplemented with
tablet food placed next to the anemone. Approximate Purchase
Size: 1/2" to 1" |
REEF SAFE
$7.99 each
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Sponge
Crabs
Great disguise
protects this friend
from the sea!
Description: A good disguise can help you survive in the sea.The
sponge crab holds a living sponge on top of its shell to keep
hidden. The sponge crab hold onto sponges with their back legs,
and are covered in small hairs. They
are reef safe, peaceful, and will not harm other invertebrates
or corals. Very interesting invertebrates for the marine aquarium.
Diet: The diet of the Sponge
Crab should include meaty foods such as chopped fish and clams,
as well as frozen, flake, and freeze-dried foods.
Reef Compatability: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will
not bother invertebrates.
Level of
Care: Easy
Approximate
Purchase Size: 1-1/2" |
REEFSAFE
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Sally
Lightfoot Crabs
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The Sally Lightfoot
Crab, also known as the Nimble Spray, Short, or Urchin Crab.
With their brown body and orange to yellow rings on their legs,
Sally Lightfoots are a reef-safe crab, very active algae eaters
and enjoy feeding off of algae on rockwork. Because of their
flatness, they can easily keep themselves hidden under rocks
and coral. They prefer a strong current and will require an aquarium
with large amounts of rock work where it can hide and scavenge
for detritus. It will also eat algae. If insufficient algae is
present, its diet may need to be supplemented with dried seaweed.
Meaty items should also be offered. Approximate Purchase Size:
1" to 2" |
REEF SAFE
$9.99 each
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Ruby Crab
Excellent Algae Eater
including troublesome Bubble Algae!
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Ruby Crabs are reef-safe
algae eaters and an excellent addition to your cleaner crew.
They are in the same family as Green Emerald Crabs and therefore
also are great algae control critters. They are one of the few
inverts that will eat nuisance bubble algae which makes them
very popular among reef keepers. They have dull tipped claws
that they use to pick various types of algae from the rockwork.
They are wonderful crabs to observe with beautiful green bumpy
bodies and brown hairy legs, a great crab for any reef! We rec'd
1 per 25 gallons |
REEF SAFE
$8.99 each
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