Care Level: Easy
Temperament:Â Semi-Aggressive
Reef Compatible:Â With Caution
General Description: The Spider Decorator Crab, otherwise known simply as a Decorator Crab, comes from the Indo-Pacific and can reach a size of 4″ full grown. It decorates itself with various pieces of substrate, shells, algae, coral, or any other means that will help it to camouflage within its environment. More active at night, these crabs may remain in a single spot throughout the day.
Diet Requirements: Decorator crabs are carnivores. They will scavenge on various food leftover in the aquarium, but should be given pieces of meaty foods such as frozen shrimp and clams.
Tank Requirements: An established, minimum aquarium size of 15 gallons is recommended to house a Decorator crab. Maintaining stable water parameters is a component to the success of keeping this invertebrate; crabs are intolerable of high nitrates. Creating crevices or caves with liverock will mimic the Decorator crab’s natural environment and give it places to hide. While it does not usually bother other invertebrates or fish, the Decorator crab is listed to add “with caution” to a reef aquarium because it can take parts, or whole colonies, of soft corals to attach to its body. This activity can be beneficial to the propogation and spread of certain soft coral species, however. Keep in mind that many crabs and shrimp are opportunistic on other slower moving invertebrates if their dietary requirements are not being met. Recommended water conditions: 76-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.024-1.026.
Purchase Size: 2” to 3″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.
