{"product_id":"hairy-hermit-crab-dardanus-megistos","title":"Hairy Hermit Crab (Dardanus megistos)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Hairy Hermit Crab is one of the most visually striking and characterful invertebrates in the marine hobby. Its bold red body is covered in fine hairs and decorated with white spots outlined in black, while its eyestalks are a vivid yellow, making it look like something out of a fantasy reef rather than a real aquarium. One of its claws is typically noticeably larger than the other, adding to its distinctive, lopsided charm. Known under several common names including the White-spotted Hermit Crab, Strawberry Hermit Crab, and Shell-Breaking Reef Hermit, \u003cem\u003eD. megistos\u003c\/em\u003e is a fascinating and rewarding animal for the right system, but it demands full honesty: this is a large, predatory species that is not reef safe and requires a thoughtfully planned setup to thrive and coexist peacefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy we love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenuinely stunning colouration with vivid red, white-spotted hairy legs and yellow eyestalks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnown to carry sea anemones on its shell in the wild, forming a fascinating symbiotic relationship that adds extra visual drama\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBold, active, and highly entertaining to observe as it scavenges and patrols the tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardy and adaptable, one of the easier large invertebrates to keep once properly set up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA true conversation piece that nothing else in the hobby quite matches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuggested parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalinity: 1.025 to 1.026 SG\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH: 8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlkalinity: 8 to 10 dKH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalcium: 400 to 450 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMagnesium: 1250 to 1400 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNitrate: Under 20 ppm; stable water quality is important for long-term health\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCopper-based medications are toxic to all crustaceans and must never be used\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and temperament\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDifficulty: Easy to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperament: Semi-aggressive; predatory toward smaller invertebrates, snails, tubeworms, mollusks, and potentially slow-moving or small fish as it grows\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReef safe: No (will consume soft corals, small invertebrates, mollusks, and tubeworms; not suitable for reef systems)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum tank size: 75 gallons; larger is strongly preferred given its growth potential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmple secure rockwork and a thick sandy substrate are essential to mimic its natural habitat and provide shelter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep one per aquarium; this species is aggressive toward other hermit crabs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA collection of empty shells in graduated sizes must always be available; this species grows quickly and a hermit crab without a suitable shell to move into is a stressed and vulnerable animal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eD. megistos\u003c\/em\u003e is an omnivore in feeding habit, consuming algae, detritus, mollusks, tubeworms, and meaty seafood. In the aquarium it functions primarily as a carnivorous scavenger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrozen meaty foods including mysis, krill, chopped shrimp, clam, mussel, and squid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuality sinking carnivore pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWill scavenge leftover fish food and detritus from the substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA varied protein-rich diet supports optimal health and the rich colouration this species is known for\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeed every one to two days; this species is an opportunistic feeder rather than a constant grazier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility and tankmates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest suited to large fish-only or FOWLR systems with robust, larger fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest housed with larger, peaceful fish that can coexist without feeling threatened; avoid small or slow-moving fish that may be targeted as it grows\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot compatible with smaller hermit crabs, snails, shrimp, or most ornamental invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid aggressive species such as large triggers or puffers that may target the crab between shell changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep one per system; multiple individuals will fight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHealth and acclimation notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDardanus megistos\u003c\/em\u003e is hardy and generally adapts well to aquarium life given stable parameters and a secure, well-furnished environment. The single most important ongoing care requirement is maintaining a selection of empty shells in appropriate sizes at all times. This species can grow quickly, and a hermit crab forced to stay in a too-small shell or, worse, left without a shell during molting, is dangerously vulnerable. Like all crustaceans, it benefits from regular water changes to maintain mineral levels that support a healthy, hard exoskeleton. Drip acclimation is recommended before introduction, and the tank should be fully cycled and stable before adding this animal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat you are buying\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will receive: 1 Hairy Hermit Crab (Dardanus megistos)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColouration is red with white-spotted, hairy legs outlined in black and vivid yellow eyestalks; one claw is typically larger than the other\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize can vary between individuals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrip acclimation is recommended. A selection of progressively larger empty shells must be maintained in the system at all times. Copper-based medications must never be used in any system housing this animal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little Shop of Coral","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53575462551825,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/5196\/6737\/files\/DARDANUSMEGISTOSHAIRYHERMITCRAB.png?v=1779233781","url":"https:\/\/littleshopofcoral.ca\/products\/hairy-hermit-crab-dardanus-megistos","provider":"Little Shop of Coral","version":"1.0","type":"link"}