{"product_id":"pitho-crab-pitho-sp-saltwater","title":"Pitho Crab (Pitho sp.)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#ECEFF1;border-left:4px solid #37474F;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 10px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComing soon.\u003c\/strong\u003e These are on their way to the store. The listing is live so you can read up now, and they will be available to order once they arrive and clear quarantine.\n\u003c\/div\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\u003ePitho Crab\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePitho\u003c\/em\u003e sp.) is the crab reefers reach for when bubble algae has won. It is a close relative of the Emerald Crab in the same family, but it is more active, grows a little larger, and per animal it clears \u003cem\u003eValonia\u003c\/em\u003e bubble algae faster than an Emerald does. It also grazes hair algae, \u003cem\u003eCaulerpa\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eDictyota\u003c\/em\u003e, and spends the rest of its time picking detritus out of the rockwork. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a genuinely low-profile animal. Mottled tan and olive, roughly an inch and a half across the carapace when grown, and camouflaged well enough that you will mostly notice the algae disappearing rather than the crab doing it.\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. What matters is live rock, not volume. It needs grazing surface and crevices to retreat into.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature tank preferred:\u003c\/strong\u003e like most cleanup crew, it does best in an established system that already grows the algae and biofilm it eats.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e herbivore and scavenger. Bubble algae, hair algae, and detritus first. If the tank gets too clean, feed dried nori on a clip or a sinking algae wafer, which it will take readily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e yes. It works the rock and leaves corals, clams, and other inverts alone.\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 will shed its shell periodically and leave behind what looks alarmingly like a dead crab. Leave the empty shell in the tank; the crab eats it back for calcium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow many:\u003c\/strong\u003e roughly one per 20 to 30 gallons for algae control. Too many in a small tank and they compete once the algae runs out.\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;\"\u003ePitho Crab, Pitho Spider Crab, Bubble Algae Crab\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\n\u003cem\u003ePitho\u003c\/em\u003e sp. (commonly \u003cem\u003ePitho mirabilis\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;\"\u003eMithracidae, same family as the Emerald Crab\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\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 1.5 inches across the carapace\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\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;\"\u003eHerbivore and 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;\"\u003eBubble algae, hair algae, Caulerpa, Dictyota, detritus\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\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, clams, and peaceful reef fish, and it pairs naturally with the rest of a cleanup crew. Run it alongside \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-turbo-snail-turbo-sp-saltwater\"\u003eZebra Turbo Snails\u003c\/a\u003e for film algae and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nassarius-snail-nassarius-sp-saltwater\"\u003eNassarius Snails\u003c\/a\u003e for the sand bed, and the three of them cover most of the work between them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo cautions. Large predatory fish, triggers, puffers, and hawkfish will eat crabs, so skip it in those tanks. And like any crab it is opportunistic: a well-fed Pitho ignores tankmates, but a starving one in an algae-free tank may pick at something it should not. Keep it fed once the algae is gone.\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\u003eDried nori sheets on a feeding clip, its favourite supplemental food\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\/zebra-turbo-snail-turbo-sp-saltwater\"\u003eZebra Turbo Snail\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nassarius-snail-nassarius-sp-saltwater\"\u003eNassarius Snail\u003c\/a\u003e to round out the cleanup crew\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater\u003c\/a\u003e selection\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\u003eWhen will these be available?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey are on order and heading our way. Everything we bring in goes through quarantine before it hits the sales floor, so the listing will switch to in stock once they are cleared. Ask in store for the latest timing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it actually eat bubble algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually yes, and it is the main reason to buy one. Pitho Crabs are more reliable on \u003cem\u003eValonia\u003c\/em\u003e than Emerald Crabs. No algae eater is guaranteed, but this is the best odds in a crab.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from an Emerald Crab?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSame family, different animal. Pitho Crabs are more active, get a bit bigger, and hit bubble algae harder. Emeralds are greener and easier to spot; Pithos are camouflaged and you will rarely see them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe with my corals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, as long as it is eating. It grazes rock rather than coral. The usual crab caveat applies: keep it fed once the tank is clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI found what looks like a dead crab. Did it die?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProbably a molt. Crabs shed their exoskeleton whole and it looks exactly like the animal. Leave it in the tank and the crab will eat it back for the calcium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48777378267355,"sku":"SW4-SW0773","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/e14e6ccd-325a-479b-b4e6-ad90ba3c98be2.png?v=1785747387","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pitho-crab-pitho-sp-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}