Become a Sponsor

 
Home
Information Pages:
Marine Aquarium
Articles/ FAQs
(enter words you'd like highlighted in this page)
Freshwater Aquarium
Articles/ FAQs
Planted Aquarium
Articles/ FAQs
Brackish Systems
Articles/ FAQs
Popular Pages:
Features:
Daily FAQs
FW Daily FAQs
SW Pix of the Day
FW Pix of the Day
Conscientious Aquarist Magazine
New On WWM
Helpful Links
Hobbyist Forum bb.WetWebMedia
Ask the WWM Crew a Question
Calendars
Search Feature
Admin Index
Cover Images



FAQs about Hermit, Anomuran Crab Identification 4

Related Articles: Hermit Crabs, Crabs, Marine ScavengersFresh to Brackish Crabs

Related FAQs: Hermit ID 1, Hermit IDs 2, Hermit IDs 3, & Hermit Crabs 1Hermit Crabs 2, Hermit Crabs 3, Hermit Behavior, Hermit Compatibility, Hermit Selection, Hermit Systems, Hermit Feeding, Hermit Reproduction, Hermit Disease/Health, Land Hermit Crabs, Squat LobstersMicro-Crustaceans, Amphipods, Copepods, Mysids, Hermit Crabs, Shrimps, Cleaner Shrimps, Banded Coral Shrimp, Mantis Shrimp, Anemone Eating ShrimpMarine ScavengersCrustacean Identification, Crustacean Selection, Crustacean Behavior, Crustacean Compatibility, Crustacean Systems, Crustacean Feeding, Crustacean Disease, Crustacean Reproduction,

Who's that crab? Anomuran IDs... for what?  9/30/09
You guys are always helpful, and awesome!
So, I figured I'd give it a try to see if you could help me figure out what kind of LARGE crab this is. We got him about four years ago from PetCo. Of course, labeled "hermit crab - Saltwater" and after asking them about him, they were as helpful as expected....which is to say not at all and called him a general hermit crab that sometimes but rarely came in shipment.
<... then... why did you buy it?>
Anyway, the aptly named "Blue Crab" lived happily for a while but due to some unfortunate accident, he died. We've been looking for another one ever since! He was about 2.5-3 inches in size. Blue, with white eye stalks with yellow tips, and black eyeballs. Yellow antennae, and white fuzz on his blue legs and claws. (See photo if I attached properly.)
<... Looks to be a Dardanus lagopodes... 'cept for the body colour. This species is usually maroon/reddish...>
As a bonus, we also used to have a very LARGE hermit crab (Gomez) who was dark pinto green, with thin red/brown accents. Smooth, not fuzzy, with thick, but not giant claws. This guy got about3.5-4 inches before he died. We don't know what kind of hermit he was either! We've asked fish dealers and hobbyists, and pet stores and no one seems to know anything much about large hermits, except for the most popular kind.
Please help...and thank you! : )
Melissa & Kevin
<... will ask LynnZ if she can run down for you. Bob Fenner>


Re: Who's that crab? Anomuran IDs... for what? 9/30/09
<Hello, Melissa and Kevin - Lynn here this afternoon.>
You guys are always helpful, and awesome!
<On behalf of Bob and crew, I thank you!>
So, I figured I'd give it a try to see if you could help me figure out what kind of LARGE crab this is. We got him about four years ago from PetCo. Of course, labeled "hermit crab - Saltwater"
<Yep, that sort of generality is cause to run to your trusty research book or internet site(s) before buying, to make sure the animal will be a good/safe addition for your system.>
..and after asking them about him, they were as helpful as expected....which is to say not at all and called him a general hermit crab that sometimes but rarely came in shipment.
<I’d love to know where those shipments were from!>
Anyway, the aptly named "Blue Crab" lived happily for a while but due to some unfortunate accident, he died. We've been looking for another one ever since!
<I’d keep checking Petco, in hopes that they’re still getting shipments from the same area. Perhaps another such hermit will show up.>
He was about 2.5-3 inches in size. Blue, with white eye stalks with yellow tips, and black eyeballs. Yellow antennae, and white fuzz on his blue legs and claws. (See photo if I attached properly.)
<Very pretty! I’ve looked all over, but the closest I can get to an ID is what Bob already mentioned, Dardanus lagopodes. Usually, these hermits are a mottled maroon/red/brown and white, but I’ve read reports of color variants. Perhaps this is one. If you wish to look further I’d recommend trying a few internet image search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) using the genus name: Dardanus.>
As a bonus, we also used to have a very LARGE hermit crab (Gomez) who was dark pinto green, with thin red/brown accents. Smooth, not fuzzy, with thick, but not giant claws. This guy got about 3.5-4 inches before he died. We don't know what kind of hermit he was either!
<I’m sorry to say that I don’t either. I can’t quite see enough detail to be of much assistance. For instance, are the claws of equal in size, or different? Hermits in the family Diogenidae tend to have a larger left claw relative to the right, while those in Paguridae tend to have a larger right claw than left. If you remember, or have other photos that show this, perhaps you could search according to family, then narrow things from there.>
We've asked fish dealers and hobbyists, and pet stores and no one seems to know anything much about large hermits, except for the most popular kind.
<Well, there are a lot of them out there!>
Please help...and thank you! : )
<You’re very welcome, and good luck in your search!>
Melissa & Kevin
<Take care, LynnZ>

Re: Who's that crab? Anomuran IDs... for what? 9/30/09
<Hello again!>
Thank you so much!
<You’re very welcome!
The green crab had claws that were the same size, as did the blue crab!
<Gotcha>
Maybe if they had gotten bigger or older it would have varied where one was bigger?
<Well, the difference in claw sizes related to family is something that can help with an ID but it’s not a guarantee. That’s why I was careful to use the phrase “tend to” instead of “always”. The differences could be slight or not at all and on top of that, there could be other factors at play.>
Probably not, but they were super crabs. We really miss them!
<I can certainly understand that!>
Thanks again for the help.
<It was a pleasure.>
We'll keep searching!!
<Please do! If/when you do find another, please send more photos and we’ll see if we can’t figure out what you’ve got. Take care, LynnZ>

Follow-up: Re: Re: Who's that crab? Anomuran IDs... for what? 10/1/09
<Hi Melissa!>
With your and Bob's help for a start on the Latin name, we found this French site: http://users.skynet.be/fa311324/article/hermit.htm
<Ah yes, you found one of my favorites. It’s loaded with wonderful photos. Here’s another site as well: http://www.deepseaimages.com/dsilibrary/showgallery.php?cat=675
See families Diogenidae and Paguridae, starting about halfway down the page: http://www.roboastra.com/hastherm/hpherm.html>
..(Also, at the bottom there is "Phimochirus holthuisi" which says Photo credit Bob Fenner. Thought that was cute! : )
<Yes indeed, another wonderful photo!>
But about halfway down it shows "Dardanus lagopodes" which is a tiny bit more red but has the exact same eye stalks and yellow antennae as our long lost blue crab.
<I know the photo and yes, it is indeed very similar. Here are several others as well: http://www.deepseaimages.com/dsilibrary/showphoto.php?photo=7001&cat=675
http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=7270 >
So, I'd guess we would have to agree with you guys on what he was!
<It does indeed appear to be either a color variant or another species in that genus.>
He was such a vibrant blue though...I wish we could have kept him alive!
<Indeed. I found an interesting parallel on the ‘net last night after my last response. It deals with what appears to be a blue specimen of Pagurus bernhardus found off the coast of England. See this link: http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Torped56.html. It’s postulated that the color might be due to a parasite. I honestly don’t know if that’s possible or not. Have you ever seen a blue lobster? The beautiful color is apparently due to a genetic defect that can be described at the following link. It may be more than you ever wanted to know on the subject, but it’s interesting! http://srs.dl.ac.uk/Annual_Reports/AnRep01_02/pdf/08_09%20Crustacyanin.pdf >
We were soooo new to the hobby back then, and for some reason got something in our tank that killed all of our crustaceans, even the copepods.
<Aggressive hermits can do a number on their crustacean relatives, snails, and even fishes if they can grab, or catch them sleeping. As for the copepods, they may well have been reduced by various fishes you had at the time.>
Fish were fine..who knows!
<They may well have either steered clear of the hermits or slept out of reach of them!>
It's just been trial and error after trial and error for us!
<Yep, in this hobby you find out pretty quickly that research is your friend! That is, research *before* bringing home!>
Everything is healthy and thriving now and has been for a few years.
<Good to hear. I’m wondering if there isn’t a parallel between this and the lack of large hermits!>
Anyway, I think it might be the same species. Obviously there are more sites out there that show a crab that looks like him, like this: http://www.zipcodezoo.com/hp350/Dardanus_lagopodes_0.jpg But I've still yet to find one that's blue!
<Same here!>
Anyway, the PetCo in our area stopped carrying saltwater animals...and I actually think that's really good because they were always so sad, dying, or badly taken care of.
<That’s frustratingly sad to see. I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum in our area. It just depends on who’s in charge/running the section.>
Still not sure on the green crab. He grew pretty fast and so I expect he would have gotten larger. That French site has two photos of crabs labeled "Clibanarius sp"...which I assume means "Clibanarius species of some sort" *lol*
<That’s exactly what it means!>
He was really olive green but the markings on these crabs look similar, and his claws were about the same size as these look to be (of course like you said they are probably slightly different, but at a glance they look about the same size). Okay, anyway, thank you again so much!
<You’re very welcome! It’s been a learning experience for me as well and I appreciate it!>
I've been meaning to ask for years and just never got around to it.
<I’m glad you got around to it. If I ever run into a blue hermit like yours, I’ll be sure to let you know.>
You've been really sweet and helpful...Have a great week!! : )
<It was my pleasure. You have a great week as well!>
Melissa
<Take care, LynnZ>

White Leg Hermit? 3/16/2009
Please help me ID this little guy! I was at the local pet store when I noticed they were getting a new shipment in of hermits. They placed them all in their tank and I took my pick. There was a little white legged hermit... with blue on the stalks of his eyes.. I had to have him! He is different from all the rest of the hermits I have. His claws in the front are very small.
It seems like he has no antennas like the others do. I have a dwarf zebra crab, 3 blue legs and 2 scarlet red legs. I brought him home, and put him into my tank. I was unsure about what kind he is, and figured I would
just "look him up". No luck!! I just want to make sure that he is reef safe,
<This... is a matter of degree... some Anomurans are "pretty" reef safe... others far to the other side of the spectrum... This one is very likely on the "pretty safe" side... and stays small if it's what I think it is>
and actually know what he is!
<Might be a Calcinus latens...>
The other tank inhabitants are a sea apple, <Yikes! Do see WWM re... these Cucumbers are notorious for tank wipe-outs>
2 percula clown fish, a serpent star fish, a chocolate chip star and an engineer goby. Thanks for your help!!
Danielle
Attached is some photos to help!
<Be reading, chatting, Bob Fenner>

Hermit Crab Care 1/8/09
Hi.
<Hi Misty>
I found your webpage after making my best attempt to identify the crab I have as well as learn the best way to care for it. My husband and I recently spent some time in Panama City, FL, where we were collecting shells and whatnot. Yes, I have come to realize, you read hundreds of emails just like this! We discovered this little guy in the bay. I am still unsure what kind of hermit crab he is but I am thinking C. vittatus. Could you please correct me if I am wrong.
<Try to.>
I know basically nothing about caring for marine animals. But, alas have decided to give it a go. I have found your website extremely helpful. After spending a week in a plastic Tupperware dish, in some sea water scooped from the bay, today he went into a tank. We went to our local salt water aquarium store and purchased a 10 gallon tank, some Instant Ocean, a filter, a hydrometer, 2 lbs of live rock, de-chlorinator, and "live" sand.
After all the preparation steps of getting the water ready and settled, in he went, along with many of the shells found from his very beach. I did boil the shells before placing them in the water. I also purchased frozen baby brine shrimp which has to be dissolved in water for him to eat.
<Baby brine is a little small for a food source, I'd go with small pieces of fish.>
So, in the hour or so that he has been in this new environment he has explored and thoroughly examined each and every shell I put in there. And, changed shells now 3 times! I am under the assumption he is happy because he scoping everything out and seems to be doing quite well. I discovered tonight while watching him closely as he was shell hopping that he is missing a whole leg and one of his claws, both of which are on the same side of his body. This leaves him with only one usable leg on that side.
Really what I am concerned about is if he will continue to thrive being "disabled" as he is. I have no idea if this leg loss has occurred since we brought him home or if he was this way when we kidnapped him.
<Not unusual to see this. When the crab molts, he should have a new claw and legs. As crabs grow, they will molt on a regular basis. So, as long as you keep the little guy fed, I see no problems.>
My last concern is the salinity and temperature in which he should be kept, being that he came from the gulf. Any information you can provide to me will be greatly appreciated.
<Hermit crabs are very hardy creatures and are very tolerant of water conditions. A salinity of 1.020-1.023 will be fine. For temperature, set about 75.>
Thank you so much for your time.
<You're welcome, and get that guy some fish and learn more about your find here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
James (Salty Dog)>
Misty Rettagliata
ps: I am including 2 photos of him, in hopes that you can help me identify him. Hopefully they come thru!
<I don't see them.>

<<... Is Clibanarius vittatus... and care information can be found linked at the top of James' citation on WWM: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
BobF>>

Re: Hermit Crab Care 1/9/09
James,
Thanks for your response.
<You're welcome.>
I am slightly frustrated the pictures didn't come thru. I am going to attempt to send them as attachments this time. Today has gone well. The little bugger has been shell hopping like crazy. Its almost like a game between the same 3 shells.....back and forth and over again! You had very little to remark about everything I said (except probably the absolute essentials) so am I to assume that thus far I am proceeding correctly?
<Yes, but I've also posted a link leading you to much more info than I have the time to provide here.>
I went back to the fish store today and talked the guy's ear off trying to get as much information as I could. When I asked for some fish to feed crabby he basically put me off saying that it would be better to not put something like that into the tank and instead gave me shrimp pellets.
<That will work. Hermit Crabs are scavengers by nature and will eat most anything.>
I didn't want to argue because I know everyone does things differently. I figure I can pick up some fish at the grocery store!
<The fish was meant as an example of foods they will eat. As long as you have already bought the shrimp pellets, you might as well use them.>
While I was there I also bought a heater and thermometer, because I was worried the water temp was too chilly based on what you recommended. I was correct. The water temp was around 66 degrees F. As of now it's a comfy 74.
<Is fine.>
I am going cuckoo, however, after reading things about the nitrates, iodine, ammonia, and a million other things it seems as if I should be monitoring, yet not knowing how!
<As I mentioned before, hermit crabs are very tolerant of water conditions and as for water testing, I wouldn't worry too much here as long as the crab will be the only animal in the tank. Watch your feeding habits, a small portion a day is all that is necessary and a monthly one gallon water change will be beneficial.>
Is there anything you can suggest I do differently from what I told you previously?
<Not for keeping a hermit crab, you have the basic equipment, but I do suggest you clean/change the filter media at least twice monthly.>
And, I am interested in adding a 2, maybe 3 damsels and perhaps one more small hermit. Is this something you think would be wise?
<It can work but two small damsels would be the limit for a 10 gallon tank.
Do not consider those cute little black ones with the three white spots (Three Spot Damsel) as they will soon overgrow your ten gallon tank. The Yellowtail Damselfish is small, colorful and an easy to keep fish. Further reading on damselfish can be found here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/damsels.htm>
Is there much more that would need to be done before taking those steps?
<Yes, now we are on a different page, we are going to need some type of biological filtration as a first step. Do read here and related articles/FAQ's, this will give you a good overview of the basics.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marineSetUp.htm I've also provided an index to additional information available.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/marsetupindex1.htm>
Again, I appreciate all the knowledge you guys are able to share. And I am enjoying this website greatly. I have been reading tons.
<Reading will be your best teacher, enjoy.>
Thanks so much!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Misty

Hermit Crab ID 1/10/09
Misty, I am going to answer the hermit crab ID separate from hermit crab care for ease of filing in our system. Your suggestion of C. vittatus is actually a scorpion, not a hermit crab. I'm thinking your crab is a Clibanarius. James (Salty Dog)>
<<What, scorpion? RMF>>

Re: Hermit Crab ID 01/09/09
Bob,
Probably my fault on the ID as I didn't think two creatures would be identified as vittatus. Should have investigated the "C." further. Look here.
http://www.ub.ntnu.no/scorpion-files/c_vittatus.php
James
<Mmm, perhaps a note here... the second part of scientific names can/do get used over and over... Genera (plural for genus, the first part of a species name) are supposed to be unique. BobF>

Re: Hermit Crab ID 1/10/09
I am sorry for the confusion. I guess that shows how little I know and how much I need to study because I was meaning Clibanarius vittatus, simply shortened it to C. Vittatus not knowing that it too was already a creature (scorpion)! That being said, then I was correct in my home id of him.
<Actually I erred thinking the "C" was Clibanarius. Your crab is a Clibanarius vittatus.>
I can't say it enough, thank you thank you thank you and everyone else for your time and help in these situations.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Misty






Featured Sponsors:
Google
 
Web www.WetWebMedia.com