Pom-Pom Crab care guide
Pom-Pom Crab (Lybia tessellata) — minimum tank 30 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Overview
Pom-Pom Crab (Lybia tessellata) is a boxer (pom-pom) crab of the family Xanthidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Tiny crab famous for carrying small anemones (Triactis) in each claw like cheerleader pom-poms for defense. Best in nano peaceful tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Xanthidae
- Genus: Lybia
- Scientific name: Lybia tessellata
- Common synonyms: Boxer Crab, Cheerleader Crab
Habitat
Lybia boxer (pom-pom) crabs (family Xanthidae) are tiny Indo-Pacific reef crabs that carry a small stinging anemone in each claw, brandishing them for defence and using them to gather food, in one of the best-known crustacean symbioses. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Indo-Pacific.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 30 L (7.9 US gal)
- Adult size: 1-2 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: 1-3 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore, taking a wide range of foods including meaty frozen foods, sinking pellets and detritus gathered from the rockwork.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Peaceful nano fish. It should be kept away from Wrasses, Hawkfish, Aggressive fish. It carries a small anemone in each claw and is best kept in a peaceful nano reef away from larger predators.
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.