By Scott W. Michael
Hermit crabs are some of the best-known of the crustacean clan because of their habit of adopting empty snail shells as a home. These crabs have been of special interest to animal behaviorists because of their fascinating habits — in fact, scores of scientific papers have been written on shell utilization of the paguroids.
However, hermit crabs are not only of interest to ethologists. They have also received the special attention of aquarists since the first saltwater aquarium was set up. Today, any aquarium store “worth its weight in salt” will have numerous hermit crabs, often representing several different species. The algae-eating, scavenging and sand-sifting habits of some of the more diminutive forms have made them a popular choice for reef aquarists. In this article, we will look at the biology of these fascinating crustaceans, as well as their care requirements.
Want to read the full story? Pick up the October 2009 issue of Aquarium Fish International, or subscribe to get 12 months of articles just like this.