Encyclopaedia
Two-striped Hermit Crab
Clibanarius bistriatus
A hermit crab with dark longitudinal leg stripes, excellent hair algae consumer.
- Family
- Diogenidae
- Origin
- Oceano Atlantico occidentale: scogliere costiere poco profonde dell'America centrale.
- Origin
- Tropical oceans and reefs
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
22 °C - 26 °C
8.1 - 8.4
Marine
Spazzino
Alta
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Western Atlantic Ocean: shallow coastal reefs of Central America.
Taxonomy: Belongs to the Diogenidae family. It exhibits a morphology typical of reef-dwelling scavenger invertebrates, growing to a size of 3.5 cm.
Social Behavior: Very peaceful and secretive. It leads a benthic lifestyle, spending much of its time sheltered within crevices or sandy burrows.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The coloration consists of cryptic or distinct markings helpful for camouflage. Sexual dimorphism is not externally prominent.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Tank Setup: Requires a reef aquarium of at least 80.0 liters with stable rockwork. Provide shaded areas and caves to shelter during molting.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivore. Acts as a scavenger, eating leftover foods, micro-crustaceans, organic debris, and sinking pellets.
Water Quality: Reef parameters with pH 8.1-8.4, gravity 1.023-1.025, and low nitrates are critical.
Compatibility and Tankmates: Peaceful. Reef-safe. Do not house with large, aggressive fish species that might consider it prey.
Aquarium Breeding: Simultaneous hermaphrodite. Breeding is complex due to a prolonged planktonic larval phase which rarely survives.
Risks and Diseases: High sensitivity to copper-based medications. Risk of osmotic shock; requires slow drip acclimation.
Invertebrate profile
- Type
- Granchio eremita
- Diet
- Onnivoro. Consuma residui di cibo, alghe e residui organici sul fondo.
- Ecological role
- Spazzino
- Minimum group
- 1
- Adult size
- 3.5 cm
- GH
- n/a
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Copper
- Alta
- Shock sensitivity
- Alta
- Calcium and minerals
- Un'adeguata stabilità minerale previene rotture dell'esoscheletro.
- Molting
- Muta periodicamente. Rimane protetto nella sua conchiglia in un punto sicuro.
- Reproduction
- Rilascio larvale pelagico. Allevamento larvale non riuscito in acquari domestici.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Reef-safe al 100%. Ideale per la pulizia quotidiana del substrato roccioso.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Other recommended species with similar care requirements and water parameters.
