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)