Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
Site Supported in Part by:
Two Little Fishies 

Family Diogenidae

Clibanarius digueti

Bouvier, 1898

Mexican Red-legged Hermit, Bluespotted Hermit

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Size: 1 inch (2 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits intertidal zones.

General Husbandry: These small hermit crabs are among the best at grazing algae, including slime algae.

Keep in mind they do not have a shell of their own and therefore seek suitable size empty shells for protection, usually empty snail shells. The tip of their abdomen is then backed into the columella of the empty shell, calling it home. When danger exists, they retract further into the shell, disappearing from view. As they grow larger via the molting process in the wild, they must seek other slightly larger empty shells. Its this process of living in someone else's shell that has led to their common name 'hermit,' i.e., a hermit living alone.

It's advisable to keep an assortment of different size empty snail shells in the aquarium when maintaining this species (or any hermit), as they are very fussy about the space they have inside their selected shell and are always looking for something better/slightly roomier! In fact, they often enter into battles with other hermits for their shells, with the loser either highly damaged or dead. They may also sometimes pick on live snails, however it is thought they are seeking the shell and not attacking the snail itself.

Keep in mind they cannot tolerate copper treatments, therefore if they are in the same aquarium where fish need to be medicated with copper, they must be removed.

FYI: Stocking level recommendations vary greatly for these little janitors/scavengers, e.g., from 1 to 10 per gallon for reef aquariums. Yet one should relate their need to the condition of the aquarium, as very well maintained systems need only a few in the entire system. Overcrowded and/or overstocked systems no doubt need higher quantities. And new systems probably need none, as hermit nutritional needs will not be met until the aquarium ages somewhat.

In general, hermits can live for about 30 years in the wild, however, they don't last near that long in aquaria, with stays of about 1 - 2 years the average. Keep in mind even though most hermits are born in the water, when molting they seek the land and bury themselves for protection from predators. Depending on their age, the molting process can occur from once a month to once every 18 months, with the process taking about 10 days to complete. Therefore, their lifespan in aquaria is questionable/quite limited.

Not fussy about water quality.

An algae wafer or feeder block may help supplement their diet.

Taxonomy:

    Kingdom: Animalia

    Phylum: Arthropoda

    Class: Malacostraca

    Subclass: Eumalacostraca

    Order: Decapoda

    Superfamily: Paguroidea

    Family: Diogenidae

    Genus: Clibanarius

FYI: Stocking level recommendations vary greatly for these little janitors/scavengers, e.g., from 1 to 10 per gallon for reef aquariums. Yet one should relate their need to the condition of the aquarium, as very well maintained systems need only a few in the entire system. Overcrowded and/or overstocked systems no doubt need higher quantities. And new systems probably need none, as hermit nutritional needs will not be met until the aquarium ages somewhat.

In general, hermits can live for about 30 years in the wild, however, they don't last near that long in aquaria, with stays of about 1 - 2 years the average. Keep in mind even though most hermits are born in the water, when molting they seek the land and bury themselves for protection from predators. Depending on their age, the molting process can occur from once a month to once every 18 months, with the process taking about 10 days to complete. Therefore, their lifespan in aquaria is questionable/quite limited.

Not fussy about water quality.

An algae wafer or feeder block may help supplement their diet.

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Omnivore/Algae and detritus

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Temperature Range: 68 - 81°F (20 - 27°C)

 Clibanarius digueti (Mexican Red-legged Hermit, Bluespotted Hermit)
Photo © Craig Dolphin & reefrancher.com
Site Supported in Part by:
Polyp Lab