Halloween Hermit Crab care guide
Halloween Hermit Crab (Calcinus elegans) — minimum tank 40 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Overview
Halloween Hermit Crab (Calcinus elegans) is a marine hermit crab of the family Diogenidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. Striking hermit with black-and-orange striped legs. Eats detritus and algae. Reef-safe in groups; provide larger empty shells to prevent attacks on snails.
Taxonomy
- Family: Diogenidae
- Genus: Calcinus
- Scientific name: Calcinus elegans
- Common synonyms: Halloween Hermit, Striped Hermit
Habitat
Hermit crabs of the family Diogenidae are anomuran crustaceans that protect their soft, asymmetric abdomen inside an empty gastropod shell, moving to larger shells as they grow. Reef species graze algae, biofilm and detritus across the rockwork and substrate. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Indo-Pacific.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (10.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-4 cm
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- KH: 8-12 °dKH
- Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
- Lifespan: 2-5 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore, grazing algae, biofilm and detritus across the rockwork and substrate; in aquaria its diet is supplemented with dried algae and sinking foods when natural growth is scarce.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Reef fish, Other hermits. It should be kept away from Snails (provide spare shells!).
Breeding
Breeding requires an extended planktonic larval stage in open water before the young settle, which makes captive reproduction very difficult and rarely accomplished in home aquaria. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-collected.