Is my Electric Blue Hermit Crab dead, or has it just moulted?

If you find a translucent, lifeless 'crab' on the sandbed but the shell is still occupied or moved elsewhere, your crab has merely moulted. They shed their entire exoskeleton, including the eye stalks and legs, which can look exactly like a dead crab. The crab itself will hide in the rockwork for a few days while its new shell hardens.

Why is my hermit crab attacking my snails?

Hermit crabs will attack and kill snails to steal their shells if they cannot find a suitable empty shell to move into as they grow. To prevent this, always ensure there is an abundance of empty shells of slightly varying sizes scattered around your aquarium.

Are Electric Blue Hermit Crabs completely reef safe?

Yes, they are widely considered reef safe. They are superb algae eaters that will meticulously clean the rocks around your corals without damaging the coral tissue itself. However, they may occasionally walk over small polyps, causing them to temporarily close.

How many hermit crabs should I keep in my tank?

A general rule of thumb is one small hermit crab per 10-15 litres of water, depending on the algae availability. In a very clean tank, you should keep fewer or be prepared to supplement their diet so they do not starve.

Can I use copper-based medications with hermit crabs?

No. All marine invertebrates, including hermit crabs, are highly sensitive to copper. Copper-based ich treatments will be fatal to them. Always treat sick fish in a separate quarantine tank.

MarineMarineBeginner

Electric Blue Hermit Crab

Calcinus elegans

The Electric Blue Hermit Crab is a striking and highly functional addition to the marine clean-up crew, prized for its vivid blue legs and tireless algae-grazing habits.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 26 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.023 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 3 – 5 cm
Nano reef or larger: 30 litres+
Lifespan: 2 – 4 years
Diet: Omnivore
Water flow: Moderate
Preferred setup: Marine reef or fish-only with plenty of live rock and a supply of empty shells

About the Electric Blue Hermit Crab

Calcinus elegans, commonly known as the Electric Blue Hermit Crab, is undeniably one of the most visually spectacular members of the marine clean-up crew. Sporting dramatic alternating bands of black and neon blue along its walking legs, offset by bright orange antennae, it adds a stunning splash of colour to the substrate. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these small decapods are highly industrious scavengers. They will spend their days endlessly picking over live rock and sand in search of algae and detritus. Their hardy nature makes them a highly popular choice for both novice and experienced marine aquarists alike.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Electric Blue Hermit Crab comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Oceania

Countries / regions

Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, United States (Hawaii)

Habitat

Shallow coral reefs, rocky intertidal zones, and rubble flats.

Widely distributed across tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific waters.

Similar species

Halloween Hermit Crab
Ciliopagurus strigatus
Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab
Paguristes cadenati
Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab
Clibanarius tricolor

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful, mid-water fish that will entirely ignore bottom-dwelling hermit crabs.
Great
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Coexists perfectly in a clean-up crew; its speed and size keep it safe from opportunistic hermits.
Great
Zoanthids
Zoanthus spp.
Hermit crabs will carefully pick algae from between polyps without damaging the coral tissue.
Great
Astrea Snail
Lithopoma tectum
If there is a shortage of suitable empty shells, hermit crabs may kill snails to steal theirs.
Compatible with caution
Picasso Triggerfish
Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Triggerfish naturally prey on crustaceans and will easily crush and eat hermit crabs.
Not recommended

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