Invert Spotlight: Strawberry Crab

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Invert Spotlight: Strawberry Crab

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Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2"
Color Form: Red
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Hawaii
Family: Xanthidae


The Strawberry Crab, also known as the Red Boxing Crab, originates from the pristine waters of Hawaii. They are bright pink with many small white spots. Their front claws, which they use to feed, are blunt and flat on the inside of the hinge. This design makes it very easy for the crab to pick algae from the rocks.

Strawberry Crabs thrive in invertebrate-friendly saltwater aquariums with live rock. They are peaceful, personable, and will generally get along with other invertebrates or fish. Plus, as omnivores, they not only control unwanted algae growth, but will also feed upon uneaten food. If you're looking for a fun, interesting addition to a new or existing cleaning crew, the Strawberry Crab is an ideal choice.

If insufficient algae are present in the aquarium, the diet should be supplemented with both herbivorous and meaty foods.
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[revhtree Verified Admin]

I am reading that these are reef safe and they are not reef safe! Anyone with with experience?

 

[revsgirl]

Cute lil' guy!

 

[wysiwyg]

from my readings they are reef safe checked a few websites including liveaquaria and they also state they are reef safe. but since they are omnivorise im sure each crab may differ

 

[M@!]

One LFS near my house has them. They say they are not reef safe. If they weren't $25 I would give one a shot in my mantis tank.

 

[kennywiz]

I have one. Never experienced any NON reef safe behavior. Rarely ever see it.

 

[feh]

I tend to avoid crabs because of their opportunistic behavior...

 

[secretreefer]

Had one in my 55 before. it sat at the base of my green slimer and started eating it. witnessed with my own eyes.

 

[justchillinuno]

I had one the size of a dime when i got em... bout a year later it was half dollar size and 3 fish in my tank VANISHED..... I held the crab accountable... in a drilled tupperware for 3 months while i got my 90g up and running and could put it in my sump.... which is where it still stays... since removing from my display tank....... no fish lost..... crazy correlation..... maybe.... none the less.... no longer an issue.....

 

[stunkenwagon]

I have about ten different versions in my tank. IMO I think they are all reef safe just a pain as they knock everything over and love to do bench press with rocks 10 times there size. Quite funny to watch they must be exercising because I can't think of any other reason they would do it.

 

[Nemesis]

I have one. Doesn't do any harm. Usually comes out when the lights are off. He likes to eat sinking pellets.

 

[Eienna]

Unfortunately, crabs are simply not trustworthy. Each individual's going to be different.

 

[Squishie89]

I have one. I have not seen any non reef safe behavior from her but she is extremely shy and skittish and prefera to stay as close to a place to hide as possible.

A very cool thing I experienced is my crab, Sprinkles had eggs, but I only have one crab. However, she had babies!! I found out through some research these crabs can store sperm to fertilize eggs without a male present!
I will post some photos later of the newly hatched offspring.

 

[Masgatigata]

I have one as well. I've never noticed any non reef safe behavior and my guy is pretty big. Only come out at night and is very skittish. I've had him or her about two years now.

 

[Rob&Gab]

YES YES YES! thanks REV. Gab has 3 of them in a ACRO/SPS DOM tank, its a 30G rimless. There pretty awesome, Dont see any harm being done to any corals or anything like that. They hide most of the day but when the Blues come on meaning Blue+ cause its a ATI fixture, Thats when they come out. We have that Tank BareBottom, I have seen Him eating some Pellets that have not been Caught by the Fish. Its a very Cool Crab to Own.!

 

[Eienna]

It looks like they stay smaller than Emeralds, maybe?

 

[chrisparks]

I know this was years ago since this thread was active but I just bought a strawberry crab from petco. They said it was a red emerald crab for $7.99 but would take 50% off since it was missing a claw. I said what the heck a $30 crab for only $4. Any thoughts or advice would be great. I know there are some skeptical people out there that say they eat fish but with one claw I'm not to worried about that aspect at the moment. If he can snatch a fish up with one claw, he must be a jedi crab haha!

 

[elfda]

I love crabs and I love pink animals. I may have found my perfect invert.

 

[Friday24]

Strawberry crabs get pretty large...mine is about 1-1 1/2 body width, no problems at all bothering fish, however he does break off chunks of SPS....both Montipora and Acropora, and for that reason I am trying to catch him to banish to the refugium

 

[elfda]

Strawberry crabs get pretty large...mine is about 1-1 1/2 body width, no problems at all bothering fish, however he does break off chunks of SPS....both Montipora and Acropora, and for that reason I am trying to catch him to banish to the refugium

I kinda figure it's gonna be a sump critter or specimen tank critter. :/