Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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RedSea 

Family Diogenidae

Dardanus megistos

(Herbst, 1804)

White-spot Hermit

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Not Suitable for Fish-Only Tank

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East coast of Africa to South China Sea and Hawaiian Islands.

Size: 8 inches (20 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow lagoons and bays.

General Husbandry: Not suited for the reef aquarium as it will eat small invertebrates, and constantly on the search for food day and night.

If desired, place only in fish-only aquarium with fishes too large and fast to be eaten.

Taxonomy:

    Kingdom: Animalia

    Phylum: Arthropoda

    Class: Malacostraca

    Subclass: Eumalacostraca

    Order: Decapoda

    Superfamily: Paguroidea

    Family: Diogenidae

    Genus: Dardanus

FYI: In the wild, will often attach stinging anemones to its shell to protect from predators.

Not fussy about water quality.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Omnivore

Temperament: Aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Temperature Range: 70 - 83°F (21 - 28°C)

 Dardanus megistos (White-spot Hermit)
Photo © James Fatherree
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Tunze