Paguristes cadenati

Common Names:

Scarlet Hermit Crab
Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab
Red Reef Hermit Crab

Salinity:

Marine

Distribution:

Scarlet hermits are found in the Caribbean Sea and in warm water along the coastlines of the Americas.

Care:

Not difficult. Scarlet hermits are often recommended as hardy reef maintenance animals, and they fit the description well. As with all invertebrates, they do not tolerate copper. Other than that, the major care consideration is be sure there are plenty of extra shells for the crabs to move into. This species is not very willing to kill snails and other hermits for shells, so it is important to make sure enough are provided for them.

Feeding:

These scavengers are willing to eat almost anything. They will feed on leftover fish food, invertebrate plankton diets, and dead animals, but what they are known for is their consumption of many types of algae. Scarlet hermits are even touted as hair and slime algae eaters.

Temperature:

22°C - 27°C

72°F - 81°F

Potential Size:

Male: 3.5cm (1.4")
Female: 3.5cm (1.4")

Comments:

Scarlets are one of the most popular hermit crabs, despite the fact that they cost more than red leg and blue leg hermits. Their bright red bodies combined with the yellow head makes them attractive, and their feeding habits makes them desirable aquarium inhabitants. These are widely sold and kept.

Image Credit:

sirbooks

Submitted By:

sirbooks

Contributors:

sirbooks

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