Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infra-order Paguroidea, distinct from the true crabs in the infra-order Brachyura. Most hermit crabs salvage empty seashells to shelter and protect their soft abdomens. There are about five hundred known species of hermit crabs in the world; although they are mostly aquatic, there are also some terrestrial species. A number of species, most notably king crabs, have abandoned seashells for a free-living life; these species have forms similar to true crabs and are known as carcinized hermit crabs. Other species inhabit shells as juveniles and abandon them as adults, most notably the coconut crab.

The species most commonly kept as pets in the United States are the Caribbean Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus) and the Pacific Hermit Crab (Coenobita compressus). In Europe, the Common Hermit Crab (Eupagurus bernhardus) is popular.

Commonly kept marine hermit crabs

There are several species of hermit crabs that are common in the marine aquarium trade. These omnivorous or herbivorous species are useful in the household aquarium as scavengers, eating algae and other debris.

The scarlet hermit crab, or Red Reef hermit crab (Paguristes cadenati), is a handsome and interesting species with a bright red body and yellow eyestalks, and stays rather small (about an inch or two across). Smaller species of a similar passive nature include the zebra hermit crab (brown legs with white bands), the red-tip crab and blue-legged crab.

While most species available in pet stores are small like those listed above, and are simply scavengers, others may grow quite large (some on the Pacific coast can grow to a foot!) and may eat corals, clams and other crustaceans. So be sure to ask if the species is not clearly marked.

Most hermit crabs will appreciate a salinity of between 1.023 and 1.025, temperatures between 75 and 80 °F (24 to 27 °C), with a good bed, algae to graze on and a variety of shells to change into. They will happily switch shells frequently if given the opportunity - an interesting display to watch.

See also

• Coconut crab
• Flat-clawed Hermit Crab
• Australian Land Hermit Crab

References

• [1] Harvey A & Brodie R, "Development of the terrestrial hermit crab, Coenobita compressus, in the laboratory". 2001. Journal of Crustacean Biology, vol 21. 715-732.
• ITIS Standard Report Page: Paguroidea (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=206947)

External link

• Crab Street Journal (http://www.crabstreetjournal.com/), online magazine for land hermit crab owners