The electric blue hermit crab is one of the most desirable crabs on the reefs. Due to their beneficial role in cleaning algae and detritus in the aquarium, they are also popular choices for marine aquarium enthusiasts. Usually, it is also known as calcinus elegans, originating exclusively from the Marshall Islands. With their beautiful colors, small size and reef-safe status, these crabs are suitable for your fish aquarium. While it is reef-safe, it is recommended that if you keep any crabs, small corals are fixed down to avoid moving them.
No matter if you have an electric blue crab or not. These amazing articles teach you various facts about these beautiful electric blue-legged hermit crabs. It can also help you know the unknowns and care for your pets as a crab.
What is the electric blue hermit crab?
An electric blue hermit crab is a medium-sized crab that consumes mainly algae. Its algae-eating habit makes it the perfect natural solution for combating green hair algae. However, it is an opportunistic omnivore and is considered reef-safe. Besides, it will take food where it can see food. The care level of this electric blue-legged hermit crab is very low. In addition, it has valuable qualities that make it a valuable addition to any type of aquarium.
Scientific Classification of Electric Blue Hermit Crab
- Scientific Name: Calcinus elegans
- Infraorder: Anomura
- Family: Calcinidae
- Genus: Calcinus
- Species: C. elegans
Quick facts about Electric blue hermit crab
- Care level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Origin: Marshall Island and Indo-Pacific Region
- Color: Blue, Black and orange
- Mature size: 2 inches
- Diet: Omnivores
- Reef compatible: Yes
- Minimum Tank Size: 24 gallons
- Supplements: Lodine, Calcium, Trace elements, magnesium
- Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Electric Blue-leg Crabs Key Characteristics
Appearances
Generally, dwarf blue-leg hermit crabs are most popular for their bright blue legs that contrast with their orange and reddish-brown bodies. Its blue legs give it its name, “electric blue.” Whether it has a hard exoskeleton. Besides, it uses empty snail shells, which they carry on their backs.
Behavior
Among the other species of crabs, electric blue crabs are detritivores and scavengers. In saltwater aquariums, it can help to clean up debris and algae. Moreover, they are also well known for their beautiful colors and entertaining behavior.
Habitat
Naturally, these electric hermit crabs are found in the wild tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, the Marshall Islands and Hawaii. Whatever, they live around the coral reefs and rocky substrates.
Compatibility
Generally, electric hermit blue crabs are peaceful. Also, they can coexist with a variety of marine species in the reef aquarium. Whatever, if there is competition for snail shells, they are often aggressive toward other hermit crabs.
Sense of smell
Electric blue hermit crabs rely heavily on their keen sense of smell. This can help them detect danger in the surrounding environment. This crab is constantly wary of not only the smell of its predators but also the smell of gastropod shells being broken.
Tank size
Usually, they are small in size and grow quickly. So the tiny blue-leg hermit crab requires a minimum tank size of 24 gallons for a small group of crabs, like 3 to 4.
Water parameters
The water in the tank would be between 22 and 26°C, with a pH level between 8.0 and 8.5. Besides, the tank should also have a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025. In addition, electric hermit blue crabs can tolerate a wide range of water. But it is suggested that you use slow-moving water for them.
Suitable tankmates Electric blue knuckle hermit crabs
Blueline hermit crabs live in peace with the other aquatic animals. While they live in hard shells, it is advisable to take caution when you intend to keep them with the more aggressive marine invertebrates. For example, you can keep them with non-aggressive invertebrates and small fish. Some of them are tetras, zebra blennies, mollies and guppies.
How do you care for an electric blue hermit crab?
Usually, electric hermit crabs are relatively easy to care for in a well-maintained saltwater marine aquarium. However, proper care is essential for their well-being. This care includes maintaining good water quality, a stable water temperature, and hiding places. Also provides a variety of suitable shells for them. Moreover, it is essential to keep reef aquariums free of undesirable algae. Please take special care when they are growing.
Growth
They will need larger shells as they grow and take the place of the shell that is grey. Besides, place several old snail shells in the aquarium so that electric hermit blue crabs can get to them when the time comes to move larger shells. In addition, it is very important to maintain proper Ca, Mg and Al for their growth and their shells.
Feeding
If there are no algae present in the aquarium, provide essential supplements, including macroalgae, mysis shrimp and dried seaweed.
Water chemistry
It is essential to maintain proper calcium levels of 420-440 ppm, magnesium levels of 1260–1350 ppm, and alkalinity of 8–9.5 dkh. It is suggested that the water be changed when nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm.
Note: When combating algae blooms, don’t forget about your water parameters. Because the water chemistry is very important in every bit of a good clean-up crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the electric blue hermit crab reef safe?
Yes, they are generally reef-safe. But they may attack snails for their shells. So it is suggested that you keep some spare shells.
How big do electric blue-leg crabs get?
Usually, these hermit crabs are a very valuable addition to a tank, and generally, you can get to the maximum size of 2”.
What size tank does an electric hermit crab need?
Typically, they are small in size. But they are growing and very active. So a 10-30 gallon tank is good for 1–3 hermit crabs. While larger tanks can accommodate larger groups of crabs.
How long do they live?
The blue-legged hermit crab comes from the calcinus family, and they can live up to 20 years.
In conclusion
The electric blue hermit crab is eye-catching in color as well as being very easy to take care of. Besides, one of the greatest advantages of owning them is that they can help in the cleaning of tanks. This can make them almost ideal creatures for many aquarists.
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