Starry Hermit Crab

General information

The Starry Hermit Crab is a reef safe invertebrate that is easy to maintain. It is red to brown in color with small white spots. It can grow up to 3/4 in. Like any other hermit crab, it also lives in empty mollusk shells and it occasionally changes its shells as it grows bigger. 

It is an omnivore that mainly subsists on algae and other invertebrates.

Like most invertebrates, the Starry 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 Starry 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.