Banded Clinging Crab care guide
Banded Clinging Crab (Mithraculus cinctimanus) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Overview
Banded Clinging Crab (Mithraculus cinctimanus) is a marine clinging (emerald) crab of the family Mithracidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. Caribbean spider-crab with banded legs. Often associates with anemones in the wild. Algae and detritus eater.
Taxonomy
- Family: Mithracidae
- Genus: Mithraculus
- Scientific name: Mithraculus cinctimanus
- Common synonyms: Anemone Crab
Habitat
Mithraculus clinging crabs (family Mithracidae) are small, flat-bodied majoid crabs of the tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean reefs. They shelter in rockwork by day and graze algae and detritus, and some species associate with anemones. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Caribbean.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L (15.9 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: 2-4 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, Anemones. It should be kept away from Very small fish.
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.