Throughout the day many like to hang out on corals or under rocks, hiding away from their tank mates. This lifestyle is probably due to their small size, and the fact that many predators could take advantage of them. Until Boxer Crabs get used to the daily life of your aquarium, they are actually very shy and easier to find at night when the lights go out. This is why it is recommended for smaller aquariums to boost their chance of survival.
I believe that it really depends on the conditions you are keeping them, how well you feed them, and the size they are when you get them, and how stressful your aquarium environment is for them.īoxer Crabs lived most in an aquarium containing low competition and the absence of various larger animals. Some aquarists say that their crabs lived up to 6 years. In captivity their lifespan range from 2 – 5 years. Nobody knows for sure how long Boxer Crabs can live.
They grow to an average width of about 10 – 15 mm (about 0.5 in). Note: A sister species, Lybia edmondsoni (Hawaiian Boxer Crab), basically, is a smaller version of the Lybia tessellate. Interesting fact: The claws are no longer used for taking food, a task which has been taken over by the very mobile third maxillipeds and to the pereiopods, specifically the first pair of walking legs. However, crabs adapted to hold live sea anemones in each of its claws, which can be used in symbiosis for food gathering and/or defense. These claws have effectively lost their ability to function in a typical crab manner, as they are too slender and feeble, which makes them ill-suited for defense. Compared to long legs, their front pair of claws are thin and short. The legs are prominently banded with thin black lines and are also spangled with small, luminous white spots. Their carapace is a trapezoid shape and marked with different geometric regions forming a stained glass-like appearance. Description of the Lybia Tesselataīoxer Crabs only grow to be about 1 inch (2.5cm) wide. Well, they are erroneous and are actually for a closely related species, Lybia edmondsoni (Hawaiian Boxer Crab). Note: There are some records of Lybia tesselata particularly from the Hawaiian Islands. Origin of the Lybia Tesselataįound in shallow waters in the tropical Indo-Pacific region from the Red Sea and East African coast all the way to New Guinea, it sits on sandy seabeds and coral reefs where it can utilize its unique coloring and pattern to blend in and camouflage itself from potential predators. Tessella is a small cubical piece of clay, stone, or glass used to make mosaics. This species got its name for the live-color pattern on its carapace, consisting of closely fitted polygons, mostly triangles, as in a mosaic or in tile-works. Yellow to orange-red spots bordered with dark brown or black Quick Notes about Lybia tesselata Nameīoxing Crab, Pom Pom Crab, Pom Pom Boxer Crab, Cheerleader Crab, Mosaic Boxer Crab, Mosaic Anemone Crab, Lybia Crab, Hawaiian Boxer Crab Not only are these species of crabs very simple to care for, but they are also extremely interesting and fun to watch in your tank. They are safe to have around your coral reefs as well, so these are a species you don ’ t have to worry about. Suitable for both beginners and experienced aquarists, it is one of the most peaceful saltwater crabs, therefore, it can be a perfect addition to small or nano tanks. They usually advance first the left claw and then the right one, an action resembling the “left-right combination” of a boxer. The Boxer Crab (Lybia tesselata), also known as the Pom Pom Crab is a fascinating little crab that posses a unique symbiotic relationship with the anemones on their claws that form the neat appearance of having boxing gloves in front of the body in a defensive or aggressive position. In this guide, I will discuss the Boxer Crab’s appearance, behavior, dietary needs, tank conditions, ideal tank mates, breeding and much more.