Janitor Hermit Crabs - Small

Janitor Hermit Crabs

The Janitor Hermit or Dwarf Red Tip decapod is from the Indo-Pacific, Caribbean, Western Atlantic. These crabs grow up to 4.6cm and their claws are the same size, unlike some crabs which have one larger dominant claw.

They make use of abandoned snail shells of different sizes and shapes for their homes. As they grow they will upgrade to a larger shell so it’s always good to have plenty of shells of different shapes and sizes available in the tank.

It’s not uncommon for hermit crabs to reproduce in aquariums and the juveniles are free-swimming and look somewhat like shrimp.

These hermits are useful for keeping algae under control, including filamentous algae and cyanobacteria.

If you have an algae problem in your tank adding lots of hermit crabs and snails may not be the right solution. Yes, they eat algae, but some algae they will completely ignore Briopsis, Asparagopsis, and Valonia all seem to ignore. This can mean you may end up with not enough food for your hermit crabs. This can result in them eating other shelled tank mates or starving to death.

Tank Recommendations for Janitor Hermits

The ideal environment would be a long-time aquarium with lots of algae and/or live rock to graze upon.

Supply empty shells of varied sizes to accommodate their growth.

They like to have a sand substrate which they can look for food in.

This crab is best kept at a ratio of 1 per 25 liters in an aquarium where it'll have ample supplies of algae and detritus.

Suitable Tank Buddies

This is a reef-safe hermit crab so you don’t have to worry about it nipping at your fish or corals. Some fish may see them as a food source and they may damage fragile corals when dragging a shell over them.

Usually Compatible

You can add Janitor hermits into tanks with dwarf Angelfish, Cardinalfish, Clownfish, Fair Wrasses, Gobies, Pufferfish and shrimp without causing any dramas.

Sometime Compatible

Use caution when mixing these hermit crabs with large Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Damsels, Triggerfish, and soft corals.

Rarely Compatible

Don't keep them with Boxfish, Hogfish, Eels, Groupers, Lionfish, or Sharks as they may well decide to eat them as they are small enough to fit into their mouths.

Feeding Your Janitor Hermit Crabs

These hermit crabs are omnivores eating algae, if there isn't enough, you can feed the Janitor Hermit crab dried seaweed or algae tablets.

As well as algae, they will also scavenge uneaten food from other tank members in the aquarium.