Hermit crab (red leg)
Clibanarius sp.
InvertebratesSaltwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safe
- Yes
- Minimum tank
- 50 L
- Maximum size
- 3 cm
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care at a glance
The red-leg hermit crab is part of the standard clean-up crew of a reef tank: it scrambles between the rocks, grazes hair algae and clears leftover food that would otherwise push up your nitrate. Small, cheap and visibly at work all day.
It grows out of its shell and then goes looking for a new one. If it cannot find one, it will pull a snail out of hers without a second thought — so always keep a few empty shells in various sizes on hand. A hermit is not entirely innocent among small invertebrates either, but in practice the damage stays limited as long as there is plenty to eat and to move into.
Best not combined with
Related species
Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.
In the BlubHub app you link your inhabitants to this database and see the care info next to your own water parameters.