Hermit crabs are fascinating creatures and they are often misunderstood as small and boring crustaceans which is not true. They can grow larger than you can imagine. Hermit crabs have more than 800 species and they can be different in size and color. Here we will talk about some common pet hermit crab species and their size measurement.
Hermit crabs can grow up to 5-6 inches long. This is an average size, some can grow 0.5 to 2 inches, and some can grow 6 to 8 inches and even reach 40 inches (Coconut crab). The exact height may not match this size depending on the species you are looking for.
You may be looking for a captive hermit crab size which you own and bought from the store in tiny size. If you do not know which type of hermit crabs you have, read further, you will know everything.
There are mainly two types of hermit crabs land and marine. Land hermit crabs are more popular and can grow larger than marine hermit crabs.
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Exploring land hermit crab sizes
Land hermit crabs are terrestrial, they live their whole life on land and trees in seashore and go to water occasionally and can drown.
Purple pincher (Coenobita clypeatus)
Also known as the Caribbean hermit crab known for its distinctive purple claw. Caribbean hermit crabs are native to West Atlantic southern Florida.
Generally, a captive purple pincher hermit crab can grow up to 2 – 3 inches (5 – 7 centimeters) in length with a weight of 0.22 lb to 0.34 lb (100-150 grams).
An old purple pincher can grow up to 4 – 5 inches (10 – 12 cm) reaching up to the size of a baseball with a weight of 1 lb (450-500 grams). In captivity, with proper care and maintenance, they can live up to 12 years and can reach this size.
| Name – Coenobita clypeatus | Size | weight |
| Average growth | 2 – 3 inches (5 – 7 cm) | 0.34 lb (100-150 grams) |
| Maximum growth | 4 – 5 inches (10 – 12 cm) | 1 lb (450-500 grams) |
Ecuadorian hermit crab (Coenobita compressus)
The Ecuadorians are famous as pets for their tiny size and playful character, also known as Pacific hermit crabs, commonly found in Pacific seashores from Mexico to Chile.
Generally, an Ecuadorian hermit crab can grow up to 0.4 to 0.5 inches (1 to 1.5 cm) with a weight of less than 0.06 lb (1 ounce or 28 grams). They hardly grow more than this size.
An adult Ecuadorian can reach 0.9 to 1 inch (2.5 cm) with a weight of 0.11 lb (50 grams). Hopefully, your hermit crabs will reach this size with proper care and can live up to 30 years.
| Name – (Coenobita compressus) | Size | Weight |
| Average growth | 0.4 to 0.5 inches (1 to 1.5 cm) | 0.06 lb (1 ounce or 28 grams) |
| Maximum growth | 0.9 to 1 inch (2.5 cm) | 0.11 lb (50 grams) |
Strawberry Hermit Crab (Coenobita perlatus)
Resembling the skin of strawberries, they are known for their reddish-orange color commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Usually, strawberry hermit crabs can grow up to 3 to 4 inches in length with a weight of 0.12 lb (50+ grams).
An old strawberry hermit can reach up to 4-6 inches (10 to 15 cm) with a weight of 0.25 lb (110+ grams).
| Name – (Coenobita perlatus) | Size | Weight |
| Average growth | 3-4 inches (7 to 10 cm) | 0.12 lb (50+ grams) |
| Maximum growth | 4-6 inches (10 to 15 cm) | 0.25 lb (110+ grams) |
Blueberry Hermit Crab (Coenobita purpureus)
Is a species of land hermit crab resembling the color of blueberry found in the continental island coasts of Japan
Blueberry hermit crabs usually grow up to 2-3 inches (5 to 7 cm) with a weight of 0.09 lb (40 to 50 grams).
An adult blueberry hermit can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) with a 0.20 lb (80 to 100 grams).
| Name – Coenobita purpureus | Size | Weight |
| Average growth | 2-3 inches (5 to 7 cm) | 0.09 lb (40 to 50 grams) |
| Maximum growth | 4 inches (10 cm) | 0.20 lb (80 to 100 grams) |
Indonesian Hermit Crab (Coenobita brevimanus)
Belonging to the genus Coenobita, the Indonesian hermit crab gained fame from its large appearance, and is native to Africa and the south-west Pacific Ocean.
Generally, an Indonesian crab can grow up to 5-6 inches (12 to 15 cm) with a weight of 0.37 lb (160 grams).
An adult-sized hermit can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) with a weight of 0.5 lb (225 grams).
| Name – Coenobita brevimanus | Size | Weight |
| Average growth | 5-6 inches (12 to 15 cm) | 0.37 lb (160 grams) |
| Maximum growth | 8 inches (20 cm) | 0.5 lb (225 grams) |
Ruggie Hermit Crab (Coenobita rugosus)
Also known as cry land hermit crab. This is native to Indonesia and Australia and is a land hermit species.
Usually, an average Ruggie hermit can grow up to 2-2.5 inches (6 cm) Length with a weight of 0.37 lb (160 grams).
An old ruggie crab can grow up to 3-4 inches (7 to 10 cm) with a weight of 0.25 lb (110 to 120) with proper care.
| Name – Coenobita rugosus | Size | Weight |
| Average growth | 2-2.5 inches (6 cm) | 0.12 lb (60 grams) |
| maximum growth | 3-4 inches (7 to 10 cm) | 0.25 lb (110 to 120) |
Overview of marine hermit crab sizes
Marine hermits live their whole lives underwater and they are suitable for aquariums.
Zebra hermit crab (Calcinus laevimanus) – Dwarf zebra hermit also known as blue-eyed hermit crab, is a marine hermit crab species.
Dwarf zebra hermit crabs can grow up to 1 to 1.2 inches (3 cm) with a weight of 0.11 lb (50 grams).
Blue leg hermit crab (Clibanarius tricolor) – Blue leg crabs can grow up to 0.79 inches (2 cm) in length with a weight of 0.09 lb (40 grams).
Polka dot hermit crab (Phimochirus operculatus) – Polka dot crabs can reach up to 2 inches with a weight of 100 grams.
Yellow tip hermit crab (Clibanarius virescens) – Yellow tip crabs can grow up to 1 inch in length and weight up to 50 grams.
What is the world’s largest hermit crab?
The world’s largest hermit crab is coconut crab which can grow more than 40 inches. This is a land crab. There is also a big marine hermit species called the giant red hermit cr-ab.
