Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Polyp Lab 

Horseshoe Crab

 Limulus polyphemus (Horseshoe Crab, King Crab)

Limulus polyphemus
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Horseshoe Crab, King Crab

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

More

This species is in the Phylum Arthropoda, Order Xiphosurida, and Family Limulidae, which actually has nothing to do with crabs! But there is one member here interests many marine hobbyists and that is the Horseshoe Crab. Actually, it's not a crab, as it is more closely related to scorpions and spiders. In fact, they have remained unchanged for 350 million years. It is mentioned here only because it is one of the better sand stirrers. Small juveniles, less than 6 inches (15 cm) are fine for aquariums containing a sandy bottom. Yet, beware, it can attain a size of about 2 feet (60 cm) in the wild. Safe for use in reef aquariums while small in size.

Family Limulidae


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