Not all Hermit Crabs are considered to be safe for reef tanks. Many Hermit Crabs will destroy corals, eat fish, or other invertebrates. Growing Hermit Crabs are always on the lookout for a larger shell to settle in.
These hermits are considered to be reef safe janitors.
1. Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab
Savdy Phou
The Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab (Clibanarius tricolor) is a great addition to a saltwater aquarium because it eats many kinds of algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria), and sifts the sand, as well.
2. Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab
The Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab (Clibanarius sp.) is a great addition to a saltwater aquarium because it eats many kinds of algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria), and sifts the sand, as well.3. Dwarf Yellow Tip Hermit Crab
The Dwarf Yellow Tip Hermit Crab (Clibanarius sp.) is a great addition to a saltwater aquarium because it eats many kinds of algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria), and sifts the sand, as well. It's small size (to 1") allows it to get into all of the nooks and crannies in a reef tank.4. Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab
Photo by Joe Martin
The Zebra Hermit Crab (Calcinus laevimanus) is a great addition to a saltwater aquarium because it eats many kinds of algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria), and sifts the sand, as well.
5. Electric Blue Hermit Crab
The Electric Blue Hermit Crab (Calcinus elegans) is a great addition to a saltwater aquarium because it eats many kinds of algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria), and sifts the sand, as well.6. Electric Orange Hermit Crab
The Electric Orange Hermit Crab (Calcinus sp.) is a great addition to a saltwater aquarium because it eats detritus, uneaten food and many kinds of algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria), and sifts the sand, as well.7. Halloween Hermit Crab
The Halloween Hermit Crab (Ciliopagurus strigatus) is a great addition to a saltwater aquarium because it eats detritus, uneaten food and many kinds of algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria), and sifts the sand, as well.8. Left-Handed Hermit Crab
Keoki Stender
The Left-Handed Hermit Crab (Calcinus laevimanus) is so named because its left claw is considerably larger than its right. Found in Hawaii and the rest of the Pacific Ocean, this terrific little reef safe crab spends its time seeking out algae, detritus and decaying material.
9. Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab
Photo by Craig Smith
The Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati) is a great addition to a saltwater aquarium because it eats many kinds of algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria), and sifts the sand, as well.
