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Invertebrates |  |
Phylum: Arthropoda, Class: Crustacea
Range: Caribbean
Size: 0.75 in. Space:: 10+ gal. Diet: Small benthic invertebrates, detritus
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful
Natural History: The Red Leg Hermit Crab is normally found in sandy areas of coral reefs where it patrols the sand for algae, detritus, and small invertebrates.
Husbandry: The Red Leg hermit Crab constantly moves across the substrate and picks at food - eating small snails, polyps, or bristle worms. It should be provided larger snail shells to switch into. This species can kill ornamental snails and will pick at soft corals, stony corals, and sea anemones, damaging them. In large numbers this species may significantly damage corals in an aquarium.