Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 2"
• Diet: Omnivore   • Aquarium Level: Substrate & Rocks   • Minimum Tank Size: 12 gallons
 • Reef Compatible: Yes   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Supplements: Calcium, Iodine, Trace elements   • Coloration: Red, Yellow
• Origin: Indo-Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean • Family: Diogenidae   • Species: Crabs

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The Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab, sometimes called the Red Reef Hermit Crab or Red Legged Hermit Crab, has red legs and a yellow face and its shell if often covered in coralline algae. The Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab is often found in the wild along the reef faces and coral rubble of the Caribbean and Western Atlantic.

It scavenges animal matter and algae, but only grows to approximately 1-1/2 inches in length. The Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab is very popular in the marine aquarium hobby as an aquarium cleaner, and can be found in reef aquariums and community fish aquariums with plenty of live rock.

The Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab is best kept in a reef-style aquarium where it will have adequate supplies of algae which to eat. The Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab is helpful in keeping algae under control, including filamentous algae and Cyanobacteria. For this reason, the Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab is often recommended as a member of any aquarium cleaning crew. While this species will supplement its diet with meaty foods, its primary source of food is marine algae. Therefore, it is best to keep this species in an established reef tank or an established community fish aquarium with plenty of live rock.

Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs are primarily scavengers and tank cleaners, where they will eat most forms or algae and any leftover meaty foods that make it to the reef or substrate. If there is insufficient algae to eat, their diet must be supplemented with dried seaweed. Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs will also accept many other types of meaty foods; such as, frozen, flake, freeze-dried or other forms of meaty preparations.