Emerald Crab

• ExerciseLow

  A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• GroomingRoutine tank care

  Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceGreat first pet

  Forgiving and easy to get started with.

• Commitment2–4 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Nutritional deficiency · Parasites · Dehydration

The Emerald or Mithrax Crab (Mithraculus sculptus) comes from the Caribbean and reaches about 5 cm across. Its shiny green shell and spoon-tipped claws are adapted for scooping algae, and it is best known for eating bubble algae (Valonia) as well as hair algae and detritus that other cleanup crew ignore. House in a 75-litre or larger reef tank at 24-26C, salinity 1.024-1.026, pH 8.1-8.4, with slow acclimation. Provide plenty of rockwork and keep it well fed with dried algae and meaty scraps, because a hungry Emerald Crab may occasionally sample small fish, snails, or coral. It is generally reef-safe but opportunistic, so monitor larger specimens. Usually kept singly, one crab handles a moderate tank effectively.

• How active is a Emerald Crab?

  Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• How much maintenance does a Emerald Crab need?

  Routine tank care. Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.

• What tank size does a Emerald Crab need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Emerald Crab a good fit for first-time owners?

  Great first pet. Forgiving and easy to get started with.

• How long do Emerald Crab live?

  2–4 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Emerald Crab?

  Keep an eye out for Nutritional deficiency, Parasites, Dehydration. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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