Blue Legged Hermit Crab

The Blue Legged Hermit Crab (Clibanarius tricolor) is a small scavenger with blue legs marked by red bands. Its size allows it to work through narrow openings in rockwork while looking for algae and leftover food.

This hermit uses empty snail shells as it grows. Supply suitable spare shells and enough food: a hungry crab or one seeking a new shell may attack a snail. Consider that risk when assembling a mixed snail and hermit cleanup crew.

Offer appropriate supplemental food when grazing becomes limited, including dried seaweed where suitable. Add animals gradually according to the resources available in the tank rather than treating a large number of hermits as an automatic solution to an algae problem.