Orange and Black Hermit Crab
Calcinus laevimanus
Saltwater Invertebrate
Species Group: Crab
Family: Diogenidae
Log in or create an account to add this species to your tanks.
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 Orange and Black Hermit Crab
General information
The popular Orange & Black Hermit Crab or Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab is so named because of its attractive color. Its pincers have white or orange bands and its eyestalks are long that are blue in color. It is small but its left claw is larger than the right claw and it serves as protection against predators. It is best placed in the aquarium when it is 1/4″ to 3/4″ inches in size.
Diet & nutrition
It is an herbivore and it prefers detritus and red slime algae (cyanobacteria) for food. When food is scarce, it can be fed with dried seaweed.
Breeding & spawning
This crab, like any other hermit crabs, is difficult to breed inside the aquarium.
Origination
It is native from the inter-tidal areas of Hawaii to the Central and Eastern Pacific.
Cautions
Like most invertebrates, the Orange and Black 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 Orange and Black 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.
All photos
Tap a photo to open the gallery viewer.