All You Need To Know About Electric Blue Hermit Crab

If you are looking for an interesting pet to add to your collection, you should consider buying an electric blue hermit crab. These crabs are native to Australia and New Zealand and are known as “blue-footed hermit crabs.” They are small creatures that live in caves and feed on mollusks.

This article will look at the different electric blue hermit crabs available today and care for them properly. We will also tell you what makes these animals so special and why people keep them as pets.

The Basic Information About Electric Blue Hermit Crab

What Is Electric Blue Hermit Crab, And How Big Are They?

Electric blue hermit crabs are one of many species of hermit crabs found around the world. The name comes from the coloration of its shell, which resembles the skin tone with dark blue patches over it. It has two pairs of legs and three claws per limb. It can grow up to 3/4′ to 1-1/2′.

Types Of Electric Blue Hermit Crab?

There are several varieties of electric blue hermit crab, including:

– Australian Blue Footed Hermit Crabs – This variety lives only in Australia and New Zealand. Its body length ranges between 3/8″ – 1/2″.

– Black Sea Blue Hermit Crabs – This type of hermit crab was first discovered by scientists in Turkey’s Black sea region. Their bodies range between 1/4″ to 3/4″.

– Chinese Blue Hermit Crabs – This variety grows larger than other hermit crabs. Their maximum body length reaches 6 inches, while their claw sizes vary between 1/4″ and 3/4″.

Why Do People Keep Them As Pets?

There are several reasons why people choose to own one of these fascinating creatures. One reason is that they make great aquarium pets. You can buy some basic equipment online and set up a tank for your hermit crab. Then you need to provide him with enough space to move around freely. They need plenty of fresh water and good quality food.

Another reason is that they are easy to take care of. All you need to do is clean out their old shell once every few weeks and replace it with a new one. Once they grow older, you may want to give them a larger home. A large terrarium would be ideal.

Where Do Electric Blue Hermit Crabs Come From?

Electric blue hermit crabs live in shallow water areas along the coast of the Indo-Pacific region. They prefer warm water and clear water. Places with similar conditions include the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, the South China Sea, and the East China Sea. 

Natural Behavior Of Electric Blue Hermit Crabs

Eating

Electric blue hermit crabs are nocturnal in finding larger decaying plant and animal matter in the night while exploring the seagrass beds.

Smelling

Electric blue hermit crabs use their sense of smell to detect danger in the surrounding environment. The smell of broken shells is something the hermit crab is always wary of. The smell of a predator is a sign that it is nearby and on the hunt, which is why Electric blue hermit crabs rely on their gastropods for protection. Electric blue hermit crabs will try to find shelter or a place to hide from their predator. 

Shell Exchange

Electric blue hermit crabs choose their shell, which can be either empty or a shell that has been switched with other species members. The current shell could be too heavy, too small, or unstable to be exchanged for another shell. The interspecific competition resulted in the exchange of shells in the Calculus genus, and it was also found to occur in other parts of the world.

Shell shape was found to influence the distribution of Electric blue hermit crabs within their habitat. People with variable worm shells would stay in shallow waters because they didn’t want to go into the subtidal areas. Cowrie shells and variable worm shells were a weak defense against the predator of the subtidal. The shell shape of electric blue hermit crabs allows them to deter predators effectively, and they prefer to live in the subtidal region. The shape of the shell doesn’t affect the travel rate to get food for electric blue hermit crabs. A certain shell on a locomotive is no different than any other shell.

Reproduction

The blue line hermit crab is smart. These organisms usually engage in unique behaviors before they can mate. Some examples of such examples include the male rotating the female’s shell or rubbing their chelipeds, or claws, around the opening of the woman’s shell. Unlike most crustaceans, Electric blue hermit crabs do not perform a shell exchange during mating.

Threats

Ecology

While most people don’t think of crabs as marine organisms, they can forge a relationship with other marine organisms. Some cnidarians use crab shells to grow their polyps. It is thought that the cnidaria may reduce the need for frequent shell exchange.

In return for the crab’s help, they get a settling ground and transportation to new environments, which could hold more of the cnidaria’s vital resources. Some cnidaria can affect reproduction and even increase the risk of crab attacks, so relationships with other organisms can be complicated and not always symbiotic.

Predators

The primary predator of the Electric blue hermit crabs are individuals who have adapted to breaking their gastropods in the shell. One such predator is the white-spotted eagle ray. Found in Australia and Taiwan, the organisms use unique plates to destroy their prey’s shells.

Climate Change Around The World

Electric blue hermit crabs will likely suffer serious consequences from ocean acidification and a continual decline in the ocean’s pH. The calcium carbonate in the shells of the crabs is susceptible to a decline. A large amount of structural instability can be created by acid environments because they degrade calcium carbonate rapidly. The population of Electric blue hermit crabs and other crabs may fall if there is not enough protection from sturdy shells and a decline in the number of suitable shells within the environment.

Studies have shown that the stress of ocean acidification might be affecting the sense of smell for hermit crabs. Insufficient sensory stimuli can reduce the rate of shell exchange and feeding behavior. The survival of Electric blue hermit crabs is reliant on the sense of smell. Many individuals may be unable to sense predators, and populations may decline if this is the case.

This study has provided information regarding how different factors can affect an organism’s life cycle. This includes the effects of climate change, predation, and competition. In conclusion, it seems like the species’ ability to adapt to changes in its environment is limited. If these changes continue, then the future of the species may become bleak.

Watch more about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oKks-djYhI

Conclusion

Now you know about electric blue hermit crabs. It would help if you now understood what makes them special and why they deserve your attention. They are one of many interesting creatures that live in our oceans. There are still many things we do not know about them. We hope that you enjoyed learning about them!