Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Family Paguridae

Manucompanus varians

(Benedict, 1892)

Coralhouse Crab, Staghorn Hermit Crab, Antler Hermit

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Sea of Cortez/Gulf of California to Panama.

Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits intertidal zones and seen in coral rubble zones.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade.

An interesting species to watch, yet not suited for average home aquarium.

Its shell is covered with hydroids and bryozoans and is best placed in an environment/biotope system with a deep sand bed that is nutrient rich.

If it falls off an object, it may not be able to right itself, leading to its death.

A major algae consumer, therefore an algae wafer, feeder block, or sheets of Nori may help supplement the diet.

Taxonomy:

    Kingdom: Animalia

    Phylum: Arthropoda

    Class: Malacostraca

    Subclass: Eumalacostraca

    Order: Decapoda

    Superfamily: Paguroidea

    Family: Paguridae

    Genus: Manucomlpanus

FYI: Not fussy about water quality.

Was technically listed as Pylopagurus varians.

Experience Level: Expert

Diet: Omnivore/Algae and detritus

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Temperature Range: 68 - 79°F (20 - 26°C)

 Manucompanus varians (Coralhouse Crab, Staghorn Hermit Crab, Antler Hermit)
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