Scarlet Hermit Crab (Paguristes Cadenati)
Scarlet Hermit Crab
Also Known As: Scarlet Reef Hermit, Red Reef Hermit
Compatibility and Behavior
Bright red legs against a yellow-to-cream face make the Scarlet Hermit (Paguristes cadenati) one of the better-looking members of any cleanup crew, and at half an inch to just over an inch it packs that color into a tidy package that suits nano tanks as easily as big reefs. What really earns it a spot, though, is its reputation as one of the more peaceful and reliably reef-safe hermits going, which is why it turns up so often in mixed reefs and community tanks. It puts in an honest day's work on film algae, cyano patches, leftovers, and detritus without hassling healthy corals. It's not a total saint, mind you, since like any hermit it'll act opportunistically toward snails or other hermits when shells or food are scarce, but keep it supplied and it stays out of trouble.
Aquarium Requirements
Care here is about as easy as reef inverts get, so I'll keep it brief. The small size is a natural fit for nano systems, though it does the same job in larger tanks, wherever there's live rock, natural biofilm, and algae to graze. Give it a mix of rock and open sand to forage across, secure structure it can climb and tuck into when resting or molting, and moderate flow to keep detritus moving. The one thing worth doing deliberately is keeping a selection of empty shells in graduated sizes on hand, since that's what lets it trade up as it grows without picking on your snails. Round out its grazing with the occasional algae wafer and small meaty bits.
Specifications
Approximate Size: 0.5–1.25"
Diet: Omnivorous scavenger; film algae, detritus, cyanobacteria, and small meaty bits
Origin: Caribbean and Western Atlantic
Care Level: Easy
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
Special Considerations: Can act opportunistically toward snails or other hermits when competing for shells, so keep a range of empty shells available; otherwise a peaceful, reliable cleanup-crew member
Pairs well with
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.