Species Guide
Get to know the most popular hermit crab species and find the right one for you.
Caribbean
Coenobita clypeatus
The most popular pet hermit crab. Hardy, adaptable, and widely available. Great for first-time keepers.
Care Notes
Standard humidity (75-85%) and temperature (24-29°C / 75-85°F). Tolerant of minor fluctuations. Enjoys climbing and burrowing.
Ecuadorian
Coenobita compressus
Smaller and more active than Caribbeans. Very social and fun to watch. Strong preference for turbo shells.
Care Notes
Similar to Caribbean care. Loves to climb — provide lots of branches and structures. Needs deep substrate for burrowing.
Strawberry
Coenobita perlatus
Beautiful bright red-orange coloring. More sensitive to environmental changes. Absolutely stunning to look at.
Care Notes
Needs higher and more stable humidity (80-85%). Less tolerant of temperature swings. Requires extra attention to water quality.
Ruggie
Coenobita rugosus
Small, incredibly active climbers. Very social and entertaining. Named for their rough, textured exoskeleton.
Care Notes
Provide plenty of climbing structures — they love to explore vertically. Need secure lid as they're escape artists. Standard humidity and temperature.
Indonesian
Coenobita brevimanus
The gentle giants. Can grow very large over many years. Calm temperament and impressive to watch at full size.
Care Notes
Need larger tanks and deeper substrate due to their size. Require bigger shells and water pools. Extra calcium is important for their large exoskeletons.
Concave Land
Coenobita cavipes
Dark, striking coloring. Less commonly kept as pets. Named for the concave shape of their large claw.
Care Notes
Requires very stable conditions and experienced keeper attention. Higher humidity needs and specific dietary requirements. Not recommended for beginners.
All of Vivienne's 8 crabs are Caribbean hermit crabs (C. clypeatus)— the most popular species for beginners. They're hardy, fun to watch, and great first crabs!