Description
The Acrobatic Algae Grazer with Unmatched Color
Prepare to be captivated by the Sally Lightfoot Crab, a true spectacle of color and agility for the marine aquarium. With a flattened, disc-shaped body and long, spider-like legs, this crab is adorned with a stunning mosaic of vibrant greens, brilliant oranges, and deep reds, highlighted with electric blue and white accents. It moves with incredible speed and grace, skittering across rockwork like an acrobat, making it one of the most entertaining and visually striking invertebrates you can own.
More than just a pretty face, the Sally Lightfoot Crab is a voracious and highly effective algae eater. It has a particular appetite for pesky hair algae and will spend its days meticulously cleaning your live rock. Its active, energetic nature means it's always on the move, adding a constant source of activity and personality to your tank. For a beautiful, functional, and fascinating addition to your clean-up crew, the Sally Lightfoot Crab is in a class of its own.
Why You'll Love the Sally Lightfoot Crab:
- Exceptional Algae Eater: A tireless scavenger that specializes in consuming filamentous hair algae, helping to keep your rockwork pristine.
- Stunning Appearance: Features a vibrant, multi-colored carapace and legs that make it a standout showpiece invertebrate.
- Active & Entertaining: Its lightning-fast, nimble movements are incredible to watch as it explores every nook and cranny of your aquarium.
- Hardy Invertebrate: Generally hardy and adaptable, making it a durable addition to any stable marine environment.
Care & Specifications
To ensure your Sally Lightfoot Crab thrives, providing a suitable environment with stable water conditions and secure rockwork is key.
A Note on Temperament: Reef Safe with Caution The Sally Lightfoot Crab is an opportunistic omnivore. While young, it is an excellent herbivore and poses little threat. As it matures and grows larger, its dietary needs may expand. It has been known to prey on very small, slow-moving snails, hermit crabs, or even tiny, sleeping fish. For this reason, it is best suited for larger aquariums with more active fish.
Tank Requirements:
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons or larger.
- Aquascape: Requires ample live rock with plenty of hiding places and surfaces for grazing. Securely placed rockwork is a must for this active climber.
- Lid: A tight-fitting lid is highly recommended. Their speed and climbing ability make them potential escape artists.
Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 72−78°F (22−25.5°C)
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Specific Gravity: 1.023−1.025
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pH: 8.1−8.4
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Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate: As close to 0 ppm as possible.
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Iodine: Regular iodine supplementation is beneficial to aid in healthy molting.
Feeding & Diet:
- Diet: Omnivore. Its primary diet in the aquarium should consist of algae.
- Primary Foods: Will constantly graze on hair algae and other macroalgaes in the tank.
- Supplemental Feeding: In very clean tanks, its diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed (nori), spirulina pellets, and occasional meaty foods like mysis shrimp or chopped fish food.
Compatibility: As mentioned above, the Sally Lightfoot Crab is "Reef Safe with Caution." It is peaceful towards all corals and most fish. However, caution is advised with very small, delicate invertebrates and tiny fish. It is best kept in a moderately aggressive fish-only tank or a larger reef system where its opportunistic nature is less of a concern.
Acclimation: IMPORTANT: Like all crustaceans, the Sally Lightfoot Crab is sensitive to abrupt changes in water chemistry. To ensure a smooth transition, slow drip acclimation over a period of at least 60 minutes is required.
