Electric Orange Hermit Crab
Calcinus cf elegans
Saltwater Invertebrate
Species Group: Crab
Family: Diogenidae
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Electric Orange Hermit Crab
General information
The Electric Orange Hermit Crab pops out from the rest of the animals in the aquarium because of its bright orange legs with brown bands. In addition to that, it also has blue eyes. It can grow up to 2 inches. It also lives inside empty snail shells.
Diet & nutrition
It is an omnivore that mainly consumes algae, seaweed, uneaten fish food, and detritus. It also helps in maintaining the aquarium by eating up green hair algae and cyanobacteria. Like the electric blue hermit crab, it aerates the substrate of the aquarium by sifting through the sand. When there is scarcity in algae, the electric orange hermit crab can be fed with meaty food such as mysis shrimp.
Determining sex
Sexing hermit crabs is extremely difficult.
Origination
It is native from the Hawaiian Islands.
Cautions
Like most invertebrates, the Electric Orange 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.
Acclimation process
Most invertebrates do not like large swings in water parameters and the Electric Orange 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.
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