Saltwater Aquarium Cleaner
Crabs
|
Crabs
are a must have cleaner for reef aquariums. They keep problems
like hair algae, bubble algae, and excess food (detritus) under
control. |
Red Scarlet
Reef Hermit Crab
Paguristes
cadenati
Scarlet Reef Hermit
Crabs have a voracious appetite for detritus and are particularly
fond of filamentous, hair, and slime algae, as well as the dreaded
red cyanobacteria.
Description: 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, unlike some hermit crabs, Scarlet Reef Hermit
Crabs are very peaceful towards their tankmates. Native to the
reef faces and coral rubble of the Caribbean, these active scavengers
can consume large amounts of animal matter and algae. The Scarlet
Reef Crab will only grow to an adult size of 1-1/2" in length.
Diet and
Feeding:Besides
keeping your tank immaculate while it feeds, they
will eat fish food and invertebrate diets. If algae levels are
insufficient, supplement their diet with dried seaweed. As with
all invertebrates, they do not tolerate copper-based medications
and extreme fluctuations in water parameters. Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2" to 1" |
REEF SAFE
$2.99 each
|
Pom Pom Crab
Lybia
tessellata
Description: The Indo-Pacfic native Pom Pom Crab
is a comical aquarium addition. This unique crab species carries
a small anemone, which look like pom poms, in each claw. There
are at least two purposes for carrying the anemones. The first
is a simple matter of defense. The Pom Pom will taunt would-be
predators by shaking the anemones in hopes of stinging the invader
into retreat. It also mops the substrate to gather uneaten food,
thus creating a symbiotic relationship between the Pom Pom Crab
and its pom poms. The anemone undoubtedly benefits by getting
to eat its share of the treasure. Also known as the Boxer Crab,
it is a hardy creature that grows to about an inch in length.
Because of this small size, it is great for the mini-reef aquarium.
This crab is attractively marked, with striped legs and bold
markings. The anemones are dropped during molting but are retrieved
once this process completes. Curiously, lab studies have shown
that a crab that loses one anemone will attempt to split the
one it has into two regenerated clones, a method used by humans
to propagate larger anemones. They may be kept in groups and
females will produce reddish colored egg masses that they carry
on their abdomens.
Food and
diet: They can be fed algae
pellets, or sheets of algae if they can't find enough natural
food.
Level of
Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good
Approximate
Purchase Size: up to 1" |
REEF SAFE
$19.99 each
|
Dwarf Blue Leg
Reef Hermit Crabs
Blue Leg's
take care of diatoms,
hair algae, and red slime too!!
Description: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.
Food and
diet:The Dwarf Blue Leg Reef Hermit Crab is best kept in a reef-style aquarium
where it will have ample supplies of algae to eat. If there is
insufficient algae to eat, their diet must be supplemented with
dried seaweed.
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
|
Dwarf
Red Leg
Reef Hermit Crab
Chibanarius
digueti
Very effective
at elliminating hair algae
and other nuisance algaes.
Description:The Dwarf Red Leg Reef Hermit Crab is a voracious scavenger. Like its Blue Leg cousin,
the Dwarf
Red Leg Reef 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 Leg Reef Hermit Crab is best kept in a reef-style aquarium
where it will have ample supplies of algae to eat. If there is
insufficient algae to eat, their diet must be supplemented with
dried seaweed.
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
|
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
$6.99 each
|
Horseshoe Crabs
Sand Stirer , Detritus
Eater
Ancestors of horseshoe
crabs date back over 450 million years--long before the age of
the dinosaurs. The Horseshoe Crab is very strange in appearance
and can be unique specimens for any 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
|
Arrow
Crabs
Stenorhynchus
seticornis
Description: The Arrow Crab with its long body and arrow
like head is also known as the Spider Crab. An extremely hardy
species that will be a long time inhabitant, different species
are found throughout the world but the species we offer is a
well known caribbean invertebrate that is one of the BEST reef
scavengers ot there.
They will consume all decaying or left over foods, as well as
prey on bristle and flat worms which makes them highly sought
after for nuisance control in any reef aquarium. If the tank
is extremely clean where insufficient food may be a problem,
place a sheet of green algae in the reef tank with a rubber band
around a piece of rock.
Found in segments of the reef where there are crevices or tiny
caves, the arrow crab lays out its decleration that the area
is its home. The Arrow Crab has eight spider-like legs and has
a head that is exceptionally pointed at the tip. The legs of
an Arrow Crab can be more than three times its body length. The
body of an Arrow Crab is composed of many colors. The whole body
is covered in a golden-brown color, with white, brown, or gold
stripes running along the crab's body. The ends of the legs are
dark violet. As the Arrow Crab grows it will shed an outer layer
of its skin called the exoskeleton. Can you breed these long
legged beauties? Breeding Arrow Crabs in the aquarium is not
generally successful. Larvae are free-swimming and hatch in about
two weeks. An interesting tidbit to know: Arrow crabs can and
will easily loose a leg. But no worry, they grow them back easily
and every time the exoskeleton is reskinned the reformed leg
will get longer and longer.
In a 50 gallon or less tank only one should be kept , but beyond
that a good rule of thumb would be one per 50 gallonsalthough
multiple arrow crabs can be kept in larger tanks with lots of
rock work.
Recommended
minimum tank size: 1 gallon
or larger
Level of
Care: Easy
Approximate
Purchase Size:
1-1/2" to 3" |
REEF SAFE
$7.99 EACH
|
Spotted Porcelain
Crabs
|
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
|
Electric Blue
Knuckle Hermit Crabs
Calcinus
elegans
Description: The Electric Blue Knuckle
Hermit Crab is found in the sandy and rubble areas surrounding
reefs rather than eing found bmoving about within them.The Electric
Blue Hermit, also called the Electric Blue Knuckle Hermit Crab,
or just the Blue Knuckle Hermit Crab, spend all their time scavenging
for food and ridding a tank of nuisance algae including hair
algae, filamentous algae, and cyanobacteria, therefore they are
valuable members of your team of algae management critters.
Tank Size: Minimum tank size of 1 gallons with
live rock.
Feeding: Feed meaty bits such as raw table shrimp, frozen
mysis shrimp, silver sides, scallop, clam and mussel. They will
appreciate offerings of Nori or other vegetation as well. Feed
once or twice a week depending on amount of Hermit Crabs vs.
amount of available food for them to forage on their own.
Level of
Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Reef safe and can make excellent inhabitants for
minature reef and community aquariums.
Approximate
Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/4" |
$8.99 each
|
Hawaiian
Zebra Hermit Crab
Description: 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.
Level of
Care: Easy
Reef Compatability: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will
not bother invertebrates.
Approximate
Purchase Size: 1/4"
to 3/4" |
REEF SAFE
$1.99 each
|
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
$15.99 each
|
Decorator Spider Crabs
Camposcia
retusa
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 eat detritus
(dead and decaying items) found hiding in corners or near rock
in the aquarium.
Food and
diet: The
Decorator Spider Crab is a Carnivore, its diet should include
meaty foods such as chopped fish and clam.
Reef Compatability: An interesting reef aquarium species, but may pick
at corals if not given adequate food supply.
Level of
Care: Easy
Approximate
Purchase Size: 1-1/2"
to 2-1/2" |
|
REEF SAFE
$9.99 EACH
|
Anemone
Crabs
Neopetrolisthes ohshimai
The 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. 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" |
$7.99 each
|
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
|
Sally
Lightfoot Crabs
Percnon
gibbesi
Description: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.
Food and
diet:The
Sally Lightfoot Crab is best
kept in a reef-style aquarium where it will have ample supplies
of algae to eat. If there is insufficient algae to eat, their
diet must be supplemented with dried seaweed.
Recommended
minimum tank size: 1 gallon
or larger
Level of
Care: Easy
Approximate
Purchase Size: 1" |
$9.99 each
|
Ruby
Emerald Crab
Excellent Algae Eater
including troublesome Bubble Algae!
|
Ruby Emerald 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 ruby bumpy
bodies and pink hairy legs, a great crab for any reef! We rec'd
1 per 25 gallons |
REEF SAFE
$8.99 each
|
Halloween Hermit Crab
Ciliopagurus strigatus
Description: The Halloween Hermit Crab is probably the brightest
colored hermit crab available. It is commonly found near the
Hawaiian Islands. Like other hermit crabs, this species will
wear abandoned shells to protect itself from predators. Many
enthusiasts are drawn to the crab for its festive orange and
black coloration. The diet of the Halloween Hermit Crab is limited
to algae and uneaten foods. This preference makes it an ideal
candidate for the reef aquarium. Hermit crabs will spend their
time climbing across Live Rock and the substrate in search of
their next meal.
Diet: The diet of the Holloween
Hermit 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" |
REEFSAFE
|
Staghorn Hermit Crab
Ciliopagurus strigatus
Description: The Staghorn Hermit Crab, sometimes called the
Antler Hermit, or Coralhouse Hermit Crab are found along the
reef faces and coral rubble zones throughout the Indo-Pacific.
They scavenge animal matter and algae. This is a unique hermit
crab that makes a house out of the staghorned hydrocoral (Janaria
mirabilis). The hydrocoral has chemically eroded away the original
gastropod shell. The hermit crab uses its claw to seal the entrance
of this "shell."
Diet: Will eat filamentous
algae and cyanobacteria. Feed meaty bits such as raw table shrimp,
frozen mysis shrimp, silver sides, scallop, clam and mussel.
They will appreciate offerings of Nori or other vegetation as
well. Feed once or twice a week depending on amount of Hermit
Crabs vs. amount of available food for them to forage on their
own.
Approximate
Purchase Size: 1"
to 1-1/2" |
REEFSAFE
|
Thin
Stripe Hermit Crab
Clibanarius vittatus
The Thin
Striped Hermit Crab is good at removing hair algae,
film algae, detritus and cyanobacteria from your tank.
Description: The Thin Striped Hermit Crab, (Clibanarius vittatus)
is good at removing hair algae, film algae, detritus and cyanobacteria
from your tank, it will also scavenge. Tank size for a critter
like this will largely depend on the structure of it. They would
do fine in a 10g species only hermit tank, with minimal rock
and lots of sand. A good choice for the kids, these guys are
very hardy and aren't shy. If you were adding it to a fish and
mobile invert only tank, it would do well in a 50g or larger.
They would not be suitable for very small reef tanks since they
are to large. They are also a perfect refugium inhabitant.
Reef Compatability: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will
not bother invertebrates.
Level of
Care: Easy
Approximate
Purchase Size: 3/4"
to 1" |
REEFSAFE
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