Strawberry Crab (Neoliomera pubescens)

Strawberry Crab (Neoliomera pubescens)

Sale price$34.39Regular price $55.48

Also Known As: Hairy Strawberry Crab

Compatibility and Behavior
The name does most of the work here: a rounded carapace in rich pink-to-red with lighter mottling, cloaked in fine hair-like setae, so the whole crab really does look like a little berry wedged into the rockwork. It stays tiny, roughly half an inch to just over an inch, and between the plush fuzz, stubby claws, and short robust legs it has a stocky, almost stuffed-toy quality as it patrols. It's a shy, cryptic invert by nature, spending its days tucked into caves and between branches of rock or coral and coming out mostly at dusk and after dark to graze and scavenge. Temperament is peaceful, but this one lands at reef safe with caution: many hobbyists find it sticks to film algae, biofilm, and leftovers, though an underfed crab in a small, nutrient-poor system may occasionally sample soft corals or polyps. It mixes fine with most fish and larger inverts, but I'd keep it out of a tank built around very delicate polyps you can't risk a nip on.

Aquarium Requirements
Its small size makes it a natural fit for nano tanks, though it does just as well in larger reefs, so long as there's mature live rock with caves and shaded crevices to duck into and feel safe during the day. Stable rockwork matters here since a skittish crab wedging into tight spots can shift loose rubble, so anchor the aquascape and secure any loose frags or plugs. The trick to keeping it off your corals is simply keeping it fed: moderate flow and stable filtration keep surfaces lightly coated in the biofilm and microalgae it grazes, and regular offerings of tiny meaty foods and quality pellets round out its diet and take away its reason to go sampling.

Specifications
Approximate Size: 0.5–1.25"
Diet: Omnivorous scavenger; film algae, biofilm, and tiny meaty foods
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Moderate
Reef Safe: With caution
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
Special Considerations: Reef safe with caution, as an underfed crab may nip soft corals or polyps in small, nutrient-poor systems, so keep it well fed and avoid tanks with very delicate polyps; nocturnal and shy, best kept singly, and can shift loose rubble or frags while wedging into crevices

Pairs well with

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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.