{"product_id":"blue-leg-hermit-crab-clibanarius-tricolor-saltwater","title":"Blue Leg Hermit Crab (Clibanarius tricolor)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FBE9E7;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Leg Hermit Crab\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eClibanarius tricolor\u003c\/em\u003e) is the classic small reef hermit: bright blue legs, orange antennae, and a borrowed snail shell it carries everywhere. It spends all day picking over rock and sand for film algae, hair algae, detritus, and leftover food, which makes it a busy and genuinely useful member of a cleanup crew. It is also one of the most entertaining animals in the tank to watch. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003einvertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne honest note before you buy. Hermit crabs trade up to bigger shells as they grow, and a crab that cannot find an empty shell may kill a snail to take its home. Keep a few spare empty shells in the tank and the problem mostly goes away. Sold individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons and up, with live rock to climb and graze.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpare shells:\u003c\/strong\u003e offer two or three empty shells per crab, slightly larger than the one it is wearing, with round openings. This is the single most important thing you can do to protect your snails.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivorous scavenger. Film algae, hair algae, detritus, and uneaten food. In a very clean tank, offer a small piece of dried nori on a clip or a pinch of thawed mysis a couple of times a week so it is not tempted to go hunting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e yes. It ignores corals, but it is a climber and can knock over frags that are not glued down.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.023 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4. Like all invertebrates it needs stable salinity and zero copper, so drip acclimate slowly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMolting:\u003c\/strong\u003e it sheds its exoskeleton as it grows, and the cast skin can look like a dead crab. Leave it in the tank; the crew will clean it up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow many:\u003c\/strong\u003e roughly one per 5 gallons as part of a mixed crew. More crabs means more competition for shells and food, so go lighter if you keep a lot of snails.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlue Leg Hermit Crab, Blue Legged Hermit, Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eClibanarius tricolor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDiogenidae (left-handed hermit crabs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCaribbean and Western Atlantic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, but competes for shells\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 1 inch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes, provide spare shells to protect snails\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivorous scavenger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEats\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFilm algae, hair algae, detritus, leftover food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.023 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSold as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndividual crabs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSafe with corals and with peaceful reef fish such as clownfish, gobies, and cardinalfish. It rounds out a cleanup crew nicely alongside \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cerith-snails-cerithium-spp-saltwater-cleanup-crew\"\u003eCerith Snails\u003c\/a\u003e for the sand bed, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-turbo-snail-turbo-sp-saltwater\"\u003eZebra Turbo Snails\u003c\/a\u003e for film algae, and an \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/emerald-crab-mithraculus-sculptus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eEmerald Crab\u003c\/a\u003e for bubble algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo cautions. First, the shell issue: with snails in the tank, always keep empty shells available, and expect the occasional snail loss anyway if shells run short. Mixing hermit species, such as adding \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mexican-red-leg-hermit-crab-clibanarius-digueti-saltwater-reef\"\u003eMexican Red Leg Hermits\u003c\/a\u003e, works but increases competition for shells. Second, predators: hawkfish, triggers, puffers, large wrasses, and many shrimp-eating fish will eat small hermits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-nori-seaweed-sheets-20g\"\u003eBRS Nori Seaweed Sheets\u003c\/a\u003e for supplemental grazing in a clean tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-grid-feeding-clip\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Grid Feeding Clip\u003c\/a\u003e to hold the nori in place\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e as an occasional protein treat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nassarius-snail-nassarius-sp-saltwater\"\u003eNassarius Snail\u003c\/a\u003e to work the sand bed alongside it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/saltwater-refractometer-hard-case-atc-salinity-tester\"\u003eSaltwater Refractometer\u003c\/a\u003e to keep salinity stable, the biggest factor in invert health\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it kill my snails?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt can. Hermit crabs need progressively bigger shells, and one that cannot find a vacant shell may attack a snail for its shell. Keeping two or three empty shells per crab in the tank prevents most of this. It is the honest tradeoff of keeping hermits and snails together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere do I get empty shells?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAny clean, empty marine snail shell slightly larger than the crab's current one works. Rinse well and boil before adding. Round openings are preferred over narrow slits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it actually eat algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it grazes film and hair algae and cleans up detritus and leftover food. It will not clear a heavy hair algae outbreak on its own, so fix the nutrient source too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy hermit is out of its shell. Is it dead?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot necessarily. Check whether it is a molt, which looks like a whole crab but is hollow and light. A crab caught outside its shell is vulnerable, so make sure empty shells are available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout one per 5 gallons as part of a mixed crew. It is easy to add more later, and fewer crabs means fewer shell fights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48251956363483,"sku":"SW4-SW0112","price":1.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/Blue-Leg-Hermit-Crab.png?v=1770900465","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-leg-hermit-crab-clibanarius-tricolor-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}