The zebra hermit crab is also known as the left-handed hermit crab. It gains this beautiful and unique name from its color and pattern. Usually, they are slightly smaller than most hermits, like the blue-leg hermit crab. Whether it features black or White banded legs. Naturally, they are peaceful, proficient tank cleaners, reef-safe and algae eaters. This can help to maintain clean water quality as an aerator.
Typically, zebra hermits spend their time on the rocks and substrate of your aquarium. Therefore, it will only be a beneficial member of your tank, like the cleaning crew species. Besides, they are safe to add to most of the macroalgae planted tanks. But consume some fleshy algae like Ulva, algae and hymenial.
This article serves as a comprehensive guide and includes facts about the left-handed hermit crab’s behavior, habitat and conversation statutes.
What is a zebra hermit crab?
The blue-eyed hermit crab is a small-sized crab that is true to its name, with a striking black-and-white pattern on its legs. This can help you easily recognize it. Usually, these crabs have evolved to protect themselves by inhabiting discarded snail shells.
Typically, their body size reaches up to 1.5 inches in shell length. However, one of their most distinctive features is their differently-sized claws. In addition, the left claw is usually bigger and is used for defense and manipulating objects. While the smaller right claw is used to assist in feeding.
The Zebra Hermit Crab Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Crustacea
- Class: Malacostraca
- Order: Decapoda
- Family: Diogenidae
- Genus: Calcinus
- Species: C. laevimanus
Dwarf Zebra Hermits Crab Essential Facts
- Average Size: Up to 1.5 inches in shell length
- Average Weight: Typically, not measured due to small size and variability
- Lifespan: Approximately 2-4 years
- Geographical Range: Indo-Pacific region
General Information About The Zebra Hermit Crab
Species and Subspecies
The blue-eyed hermit crab is a species that does not have subspecies. Usually, the crab is the larger part of the Calcinus, which includes many other hermit crab species. However, it is particularly notable for its striking black and white stripe, which resembles a zebra coat. While there are no subspecies within the crab species. But their variations in colour intensity depend on their diet, environmental conditions and age.
Habitat and Distribution
These crabs are typically distributed across the Indo-Pacific region. Besides, their habits range from coral reefs to rocky shorelines. Whether they are commonly found in shallow water. But it can also inhabit deeper regions of the reef.
Behavior
Zebra crabs are nocturnal and search for food at night. During the day, they often go under the rocks to avoid predators. But it is not social in the same way as some other animals. They can be found in groups in some special areas with suitable shells. In communication, they use their claws for communication.
Feeding and Dieting
As dwarf hermit crabs are omnivores, they are diverse, including animals and plants. Their diet consists of algae, worms, detritus and plankton. By acting as scavengers, they play an effective role in their ecosystem as they are opportunistic. This can help to clean up dead organic matter.
Predators
In zebra crab’s marine environment, they face numerous natural predators. It is known that, larger fish and octopus prey on them. Even other species of crabs prey on them. In this situation, their adopted snail shells play a vital role in their survival. Besides, it provides a mobile defense against many of the threats.
Reproduction
Zebra hermit crab’s breeding process starts with a complex courtship ritual. This process involves placing the male crab against the shell of the female left-handed hermit crab. However, their successful mating occurs during the warmer months when the temperature of the water is high. Female crabs carry fertilized eggs after mating.
Life cycle
The zebra crab’s life cycle starts when a larva stands, where they spend time as a plankton. This planktonic stage is vital for their survival. Also, it allows them to settle in new habitats. The life cycle stages of these crabs highlight the complexity, particularly during their ages of life.
Considering facts of zebra hermit crabs as pets
Below are some considerations to make if you are thinking about getting zebra crabs as a pet:
- Naturally, left-handed hermit crabs are very social animals in the wild.
- Usually, they are found to live in hundreds of groups.
- The breeders and pet store owners encourage people to buy more than one crab at a time.
- They love to climb over things.
- Usually, they are very active at night.
- They make a croaking sound; that is how they communicate.
- As pet crabs, they usually eat meat, fish, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables.
- Sometimes they can fight over their shells to separate them and get other shell options.
- The ideal range of temperatures is between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Zebra Hermit Crabs Care
- Temperature: 68F to 82F
- Optimum temperature: 75 – 78F
- Ammonia: 0
- Nitrates: 1-10 ppm
- PH: 8.2 – 8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.022-1.025
Tank Requirements of Zebra Hermit Crab
Zebra crabs are typically found in reef environments. Accordingly, a PH range of 8.1 to 8.4 and an ideal tank temperature are essential, which is between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water quality is not kept high, your crabs might not survive. Also, they could become susceptible to disease.
Water Quality Of The Blue-Eyed Hermit Crab Tank
Blue-eyed hermit crabs require stable water parameters. Usually, the salinity and temperature should be kept as stable as possible. Therefore, it is suggested that you maintain temperatures at 27.5°C to 28.5°C. Besides, the salinity is constantly between 34.0 ppt to 34.5 ppt. Whether there are large numbers of cris is very sensitive to changes in salinity and should be acclimated to while floating in the tank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do zebra hermit crabs reproduce in captivity?
In captivity, breeding is challenging and not commonly successful. Due to the complex requirements of Hawaiian reef hermit crab larval stages, which require specific conditions to develop and survive.
Can blue-eyed hermit crabs live in freshwater?
No, they cannot live in freshwater. As they are marine creatures. So that they require salt water to develop and survive.
What do left-handed hermit crabs eat?
These crabs are omnivorous, so they eat detritus, land and small invertebrates.
How often do you feed a zebra crab?
Primarily, feed blue-eyed hermit crabs at least once a day. However, for filter feeders, it is not necessary to add additional food for most species.
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