{"product_id":"mexican-red-leg-hermit-crab-clibanarius-digueti-saltwater-reef","title":"Mexican Red Leg Hermit Crab (Clibanarius digueti) | Live Saltwater Reef Cleanup Crew","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMexican Red Leg Hermit Crab\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eClibanarius digueti\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most cost-effective workhorses in the saltwater hobby. A scrappy, omnivorous scavenger that grazes hair algae, film algae, leftover food, detritus, and even some cyanobacteria. Beginner-friendly, peaceful in groups, and reef safe with caution. Pair with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mexican-turbo-snail-turbo-fluctuosa-saltwater-reef\"\u003eMexican Turbo Snails\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/emerald-crab-mithraculus-sculptus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eEmerald Crab\u003c\/a\u003e for a full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater cleanup crew\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMexican Red Legs are subtropical hermits from the Sea of Cortez and Baja Mexico. They tolerate standard tropical reef temperatures (76–78°F) without a chiller, and unlike Mexican Turbo Snails they don't suffer in warm tanks. Drip acclimate over 60–90 minutes when introducing — like all marine inverts they're sensitive to salinity and pH swings, and copper-based meds will kill them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe shell rule:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hermits grow into bigger shells over their lifetime, and if you don't provide upgrades they will \u003cem\u003ekill snails\u003c\/em\u003e to take theirs. Always keep \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 spare empty shells per hermit\u003c\/strong\u003e on hand, in graduated sizes (¼\" to 1¼\" openings, turbo\/trochus\/astrea shapes work). Drop them on the substrate so the hermits find them. This is the single most important step to keeping hermits and snails coexisting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDon't crowd them.\u003c\/strong\u003e Hermits fight over shells and food in tight quarters. Stick to roughly 1 hermit per 5 gallons of display volume; a 30-gallon reef supports about 6 Red Legs comfortably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIodine helps with molting.\u003c\/strong\u003e They periodically shed their exoskeleton — provide trace iodine (most reef supplements have it) and don't disturb them mid-molt. The spent exoskeleton looks like a dead crab; don't toss it without a closer look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; max-width: 600px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold; width: 40%;\"\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eClibanarius digueti\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eMexican Red Leg, Cortez Red Leg, Red Tip Hermit, Equal-Handed Hermit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003ePeaceful (semi-aggressive over shells)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eYes, with shell-supply caveat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eTank Size Minimum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e10 gallons (20+ for groups)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eMax Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eBody ~1–1.25 in; shell up to 2 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e2–4 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eWater Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eSaltwater \/ Reef\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e72–78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSalinity (SG)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003epH \/ dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e8.0–8.4 \/ 8–12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eOmnivore — algae, detritus, leftover food, some cyano\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eStocking Density\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e~1 per 5 gallons of display volume\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eSea of Cortez \/ Gulf of California, Baja Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Most reef-safe community fish (clownfish, gobies, blennies, firefish, chromis, tangs), Emerald Crabs, cleaner shrimp, and other CUC species — provided spare shells are stocked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse caution with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Snail-heavy tanks (always provide spare shells in 2–3 sizes per hermit). Multiple hermits in tight quarters will fight over shells and food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wrasses (especially harlequin tuskfish, six-line, melanurus), triggers, puffers, large hawkfish, lionfish, and predatory crabs — they will all eat hermits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMexican Red Leg vs. Other Reef Hermits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMexican Red Leg (this listing):\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy, aggressive grazer, eats some cyanobacteria, the cheapest reef hermit. Ideal CUC workhorse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Leg Hermit (\u003cem\u003eClibanarius tricolor\u003c\/em\u003e):\u003c\/strong\u003e Smaller and more peaceful with snails, but less aggressive on algae. Best for nano tanks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScarlet\/Red Reef Hermit (\u003cem\u003ePaguristes cadenati\u003c\/em\u003e):\u003c\/strong\u003e The most peaceful with snails, brightest red color, but more expensive and less effective on cyano.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mexican-turbo-snail-turbo-fluctuosa-saltwater-reef\"\u003eMexican Turbo Snail\u003c\/a\u003e — heavy-duty algae grazer (give the hermits spare shells if you stock these together)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/emerald-crab-mithraculus-sculptus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eEmerald Crab\u003c\/a\u003e — handles bubble algae the hermits won't touch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/margarita-snail-margarites-pupillus-saltwater-reef-safe-algae-eating-snail\"\u003eMargarita Snail\u003c\/a\u003e — gentle reef-safe algae grazer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nassarius-snails-large\"\u003eNassarius Snails\u003c\/a\u003e — sand-bed scavengers; eat meaty waste the hermits miss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scarlet-skunk-cleaner-shrimp-lysmata-amboinensis-saltwater\"\u003eScarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e — peaceful tankmate that picks parasites off your fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003ereef nutrition\u003c\/a\u003e for sinking pellets and supplemental food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I get for my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nStandard cleanup-crew rule is one hermit per 5 gallons of display volume — so a 20-gallon reef supports 4 hermits, a 50-gallon supports 10. Add gradually so the existing crew acclimates and so you can monitor shell competition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they kill my snails?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOnly if they run out of empty shells to grow into. Stock 2–3 spare empty shells per hermit at the start, in graduated sizes (¼\" to 1¼\" opening). Replenish whenever you see a hermit upgrade. With shells available, they leave snails alone and focus on algae and detritus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, with the shell caveat above. They won't touch corals, fish, or anemones. Larger hermits can occasionally bump or knock over loose frags — glue your frag plugs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo they need a chiller for a reef tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. Unlike Mexican Turbo Snails (which are subtropical and short-lived in warm reef tanks), Mexican Red Leg Hermits adapt well to standard tropical reef temps in the 76–78°F range and live a full 2–4 years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48079450243291,"sku":"SW4-SW3685","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/redhermitcrab.png?v=1777986415","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mexican-red-leg-hermit-crab-clibanarius-digueti-saltwater-reef","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}