Livestock | Marine | Marine Inverts and Snails | Crustaceans
Found 27 products.
Keeping Crustaceans in Marine Aquariums
Crustaceans are some of the most fascinating and beneficial inhabitants of marine aquariums, ranging from vibrant shrimp and delicate hermit crabs to majestic lobsters and crabs. They not only add movement and interest but often play important roles in reef tank ecosystems, such as algae control, scavenging, and even pest management.
General Care Tips:
Most marine crustaceans thrive in stable tanks with temperatures between 72–81°F and pH around 8.1–8.4. They prefer well-oxygenated water with good water quality, so regular maintenance and filtration are key. Many crustaceans require hiding places—live rock crevices, caves, or artificial shelters—where they can feel secure and molt safely.
Feeding:
Crustaceans are generally omnivorous scavengers. While many will graze on algae and detritus, supplemental feeding is often necessary. Provide them with a varied diet including sinking pellets, frozen or live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and marine-specific foods. Some species, like cleaner shrimp, also help maintain fish health by consuming parasites.
Compatibility and Behavior:
Crustaceans vary widely in temperament and compatibility. Small cleaner shrimp and hermit crabs are peaceful and reef safe, great for community tanks. Larger crabs and lobsters may become territorial or prey on smaller tankmates, so research specific species carefully. Avoid housing multiple large predatory crustaceans together to prevent conflict.
Popular Crustaceans:
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Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata spp.): Famous for their cleaning behavior, peaceful and reef safe.
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Hermit Crabs (Paguridae family): Excellent algae eaters and scavengers, help keep the tank clean.
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Emerald Crabs (Mithraculus sculptus): Popular for controlling bubble algae, generally reef safe but can nip at some corals.
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Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis): Adds color and helps maintain fish health.
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Decorator Crabs: Camouflage themselves with algae and sponges, fascinating to watch but may need specific diets.
Molt Care:
Molting is a vulnerable time for crustaceans. Provide plenty of hiding spaces and avoid disturbing them during this phase. Proper water chemistry and nutrition support healthy molting cycles.
Summary:
Crustaceans are rewarding, active additions to marine aquariums, contributing to tank health and biodiversity. By understanding their needs and behaviors, you can enjoy their unique beauty and helpful roles in your reef system.
Anemone CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Anemone Crab
Arrowhead CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Arrowhead Crab, Yellowline Arrow Crab
Banded Boxing ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Banded Boxing Shrimp, Boxing Shrimp, Banded Cleaner Shrimp
Blood Red Fire ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common name: Blood Red Fire Shrimp, Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
Bullseye Pistol ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Bullseye Pistol Shrimp, Yellowline Pistol Shrimp, Synalpheus Shrimp
Bumblebee ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Bumbleebee Shrimp, Striped Bumbleebee Shrimp, 
Decorator CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Decorator Crab, Spider Decorator Crab
Electric Blue Hermit CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Electric Blue Hermit Crab, Blue Line Hermit Crab
Emerald CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Emerald Crab, Green Mithrax Crab
Emperor ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Emperor Shrimp, Imperial Shrimp, Commensalism Emperor Shrimp
Halloween Hermit CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Halloween Hermit Crab
Harlequin ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Harlequin Shrimp, Painted Shrimp
Peppermint ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Peppermint Shrimp, Candy Cane Shrimp
Pink Reef LobsterOur price: £0.00Common Name: Pink Reef Lobster, Pink Lobster
Pom-Pom CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Pom-Pom Crab, Boxer Crab
Randall’s Pistol ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Randall’s Pistol Shrimp, Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp
Red Caribbean Pistol ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Caribbean Pistol Shrimp, Red Caribbean Pistol Shrimp
Red Leg Hermit CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Red Leg Hermit Crab, Red Reef Hermit, Scarlet Hermit
Ruby Mithrax CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Ruby Mithrax Crab, Red Mithrax Crab
Sally Lightfoot CrabOur price: £0.00Common Name: Sally Lightfoot Crab, Gibbes Rock Crab, Orange Claw Crab
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Cleaner Shrimp, Red Skunk Shrimp
Sexy ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common name: Sexy shrimp, Squat Anemone Shrimp
Spotted Cleaner ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common name: Spotted Cleaner Shrimp, Anemone Shrimp, Caribbean Anemone Shrimp
Squat LobsterOur price: £0.00Common Name: Squat LobsterLatin: Allogalathea elegansMax Size: 1.5 inchesTemperature: 72–78°FpH: 8.1–8.4Reef Safe: Yes (with caution)
Staghorn HermitOur price: £0.00Common Name: Staghorn Hermit, Antler Hermit
Striped Squat LobsterOur price: £0.00Common Name: Elegant Squat LobsterLatin: Allogalathea elegansMax Size: 1.5 inchesTemperature: 72–78°FpH: 8.1–8.4Reef Safe: Yes (with caution)
Tiger Pistol ShrimpOur price: £0.00Common Name: Tiger Pistol Shrimp, Tiger Snapping Shrimp