Encyclopaedia
Striped Hermit Crab
Clibanarius signatus
Striped Hermit Crab: a small marine hermit crab from the Diogenidae family, popular as an algae and detritus eater in reef aquariums.
- Family
- Diogenidae
- Origin
- Mar Rosso e Indo-Pacifico occidentale
- Origin
- Tropical oceans and reefs
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
22 °C - 28 °C
8.1 - 8.4
Marine
Membro della squadra di pulizia (CUC)
Alta
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Commonly found in the intertidal zones of the Red Sea and western Indo-Pacific, inhabiting shallow tide pools.
Taxonomy: Classified within the Diogenidae family. Small-bodied with equal-sized claws and slender walking legs.
Social Behavior: Peaceful and gregarious. They prefer to scavenge in groups on rocks and sand beds, constantly searching for microalgae.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Body is greenish-gray or tan with distinct dark longitudinal stripes running down its legs. No sexual dimorphism.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Tank Setup: Suitable for nano-reefs of at least 8 gallons. Requires plenty of live rock with micro-crevices and sandy substrate.
Diet and Feeding: Herbivorous and detritivorous. Highly active eater of hair algae, film algae, and leftover fish food. Eats pellets and flakes.
Water Quality: Demands standard marine parameters: pH 8.1-8.4, temperature 22-28°C, salinity 1.023-1.025, and zero copper content.
Compatibility and Tankmates: 100% reef safe and peaceful with fish. Might kill small snails for their shells if empty shells are not provided.
Aquarium Breeding: Spawns in captivity, but the tiny pelagic larvae are quickly filtered out or eaten. Rearing is highly difficult.
Risks and Diseases: Snail predation if empty shells are scarce. Prone to death from copper medications and rapid osmotic shock during acclimation.
Invertebrate profile
- Type
- Paguro marino
- Diet
- Detritivoro/Erbivoro (ottimo pulitore di alghe)
- Ecological role
- Membro della squadra di pulizia (CUC)
- Minimum group
- 1
- Adult size
- 3 cm
- GH
- n/a
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Copper
- Alta
- Shock sensitivity
- Bassa
- Calcium and minerals
- Richiede calcio per indurire il nuovo esoscheletro dopo la muta.
- Molting
- Muta regolarmente. Richiede piccoli gusci di ricambio per alloggiare il corpo in crescita.
- Reproduction
- La riproduzione in acquario è complessa e le larve non sopravvivono a causa dei sistemi di filtraggio.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Molto pacifico. Sicuro con coralli e pesci. Può disputare piccoli gusci con altre lumache.
Ecological Estimates & Biological Models
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.
