Cleanup Crew
🪸 Hermit Crab Care Guide
Hermit crabs are active cleanup crew members that pick at algae and leftover food, but they may compete with snails for shells.
⭐ Friday Frags Care Score
⭐ Difficulty
Beginner
💡 Lighting
Any reef lighting
🌊 Flow
Normal reef flow
📍 Placement
Rockwork and sand
📈 Growth
N/A
⚠️ Aggression
Mostly peaceful
🍽 Feeding
Scavenges algae and leftovers
🪸 Overview
Hermit crabs are active cleanup crew members that pick at algae and leftover food, but they may compete with snails for shells.
📦 Acclimation Timeline
🌡 Float Bag
Float the sealed bag for 15–20 minutes to match temperature.
💧 Mix Water
Open the bag and slowly add small amounts of tank water over 20–30 minutes.
🪣 Coral Dip
Use a proper coral dip if you normally dip new arrivals. Always follow the product instructions.
💡 Light Acclimate
Start slightly lower in the tank and increase light exposure gradually if needed.
🪸 Place Carefully
Use the guide placement advice and avoid touching fleshy coral tissue.
👀 Observe
Avoid heavy feeding for 24–48 hours and allow the coral time to settle.
Start Hermit Crab in a sensible low-stress position and give it time to settle before making changes.
🧪 Ideal Water Parameters
Temperature
24–26°C
Salinity
1.025
Alkalinity
8–9 dKH
Calcium
420–450 ppm
Magnesium
1300–1400 ppm
Nitrate
2–10 ppm
Phosphate
0.03–0.08 ppm
pH
8.0–8.4
💡 Lighting
Any reef lighting lighting is generally suitable. Avoid sudden increases in intensity and watch how the animal responds over the first week.
🌊 Flow
Aim for Normal reef flow. Avoid blasting tissue directly and make sure debris does not settle for long periods.
🍽 Feeding
Scavenges algae and leftovers. Avoid overfeeding and remove uneaten food where possible.
📍 Placement
Best placed around: Rockwork and sand. Give enough room for growth and avoid irritating neighbours.
❤️ Friday Frags Tips
- Provide spare shells.
- Do not rely on them alone for algae control.
- Some individuals may bother snails or corals.
🐛 Pest Awareness
- Aiptasia
- Flatworms
- Vermetid snails
⚠️ Common Problems
- Attacking snails for shells
- Climbing on corals
- Starvation
- Getting stuck in rockwork
❓ FAQ
Is Hermit Crab beginner friendly?
It is usually considered beginner when kept in stable reef conditions.
Where should I place Hermit Crab?
A good starting point is rockwork and sand, then adjust slowly based on extension and colour.
📚 Related Care Guides
Friday Frags Care Note
Every aquarium is different. These guides are based on general reef-keeping practice and Friday Frags experience. Always observe your coral and adjust care if needed.