Blue Leg Hermit Crab

Essential Reef Cleanup Crew Member

The Blue Leg Hermit Crab (Clibanarius tricolor) is one of the most popular and effective cleanup crew members for reef aquariums. These small, colorful hermit crabs are prized for their tireless scavenging abilities and their striking blue legs that add a pop of color to any reef system. They're an essential component of any balanced cleanup crew.

Why Blue Leg Hermit Crabs Excel

• Excellent algae control: Actively consumes hair algae, film algae, cyanobacteria, and detritus from rockwork and substrate
• Efficient scavenger: Cleans up uneaten food and organic waste, helping to maintain water quality
• Reef-safe and peaceful: Generally harmless to corals and most invertebrates when adequately fed
• Vibrant coloration: Features distinctive bright blue legs with orange or red bands, adding visual interest
• Small footprint: Compact size makes them ideal for nano tanks and larger reef systems alike
• Hardy and adaptable: Thrives in a wide range of reef aquarium conditions

Care Requirements

Temperature: 72–78°F
Salinity: 1.023–1.025 specific gravity
pH: 8.1–8.4
Tank Size: Suitable for tanks 10 gallons and larger
Stocking: 1 hermit crab per 2-3 gallons of aquarium volume

Blue leg hermit crabs are omnivorous scavengers that feed on algae, detritus, and leftover food. In well-maintained reef aquariums, they typically receive adequate nutrition from natural food sources. Provide empty shells of various sizes to allow for growth and shell changes as they molt and grow larger.

What to Expect

These active crabs will constantly patrol rockwork, sand beds, and glass surfaces in search of food. They are generally peaceful but may show aggression toward other hermit crabs if competition for shells is high—always provide extra empty shells. Blue leg hermit crabs are completely reef-safe and make an excellent addition to any cleanup crew alongside snails, emerald crabs, and other detritivores.

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