Red Hairy Hermit Crab

General information

The Red Hairy Hermit Crab is a large, semi-aggressive crab. It is bright red in color with small white spots. Its legs are covered with fine hairs and its pincers are large. It can grow to about 15 cm (5.9 in). 

Like many other algae-eating invertebrate, the Red Hairy hermit crab also helps in cleaning up the aquarium through scavenging on algae and detritus.

Sexing hermit crabs is extremely difficult.

Breeding in the aquarium is difficult for invertebrates like this.

It can be found in the tropical waters of the Red Sea and the rest of the Indo-Pacific Region.

Like most invertebrates, the Red Hairy Hermit Crab does not do well if there are large swings in water parameters. It also does not tolerate any type of metal traces in the water, therefore, it should never be in contact with any copper medications.

Most invertebrates do not like large swings in water parameters and the Red Hairy Hermit Crab is not an exception, so even though most hobbyists do not acclimate their cleaner crews it is suggested to do so. If you have a sump, float your cleaner crew in an area with low light to allow them to temperature acclimate first which should take about 15-20 min. Then it is best to slowly drip acclimate them to allow them to adjust to your water conditions.