Colorful and Unique Crabs That Beautify and Clean Your Aquarium Tank

Yes, crabs are also popular exotic aquarium pets. The most brightly-colored and most beautiful species are the usual creatures you’ll find in pet shops.

Here’s a list of the most beautiful and popular crabs in the world for your aquarium tank.

Striped Hermit Crab (Ciliopagurus strigatus)

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The Striped Hermit Crab is a brightly colored aquatic hermit crab. It is a favorite aquarium pet for its ability to routinely clean algae. It is an attractive pet for its festive striped coloration and is considered the most brightly colored hermit crab in normal aquarium use.

It feeds on anything but remember to feed it with the needed meat such as mussels, shrimp, clams and scallop so that it will not attack other fish and invertebrate in the tank. Overall, it can support a healthy aquarium environment. It is also known as Halloween Hermit Crab and Orange Legged Hermit Crab.

Blue-legged Hermit Crab (Clibanarius tricolor)

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The Blue Legged Hermit Crab is a brightly-colored crustacean that can be found in the Caribbean Sea. It is a popular aquarium pet and is known for various common names such as Tricolor Hermit Crab, Blue Leg Reef Hermit Crab, Equal Handed Hermit Crab and Blueleg Hermit Crab.

This lovely marine animal is characterized by its blue legs with red banding. It can attain a length of 2 cm and feeds on dead plants and animals, green hair algae, seaweed and cyanobacteria. Like the Halloween Hermit Crab, it is a popular aquarium hermit crab because of its coloration and because its feeding habits lead it to clean tanks.

Anemone Hermit Crab (Dardanus pedunculatus)

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Another hermit crab species that you can put to your aquarium tank to beautify it is the attractive Anemone Hermit Crab. This species is native to the Indo-pacific region and collects sea anemones to place on its shell for defense, hence the common name. This popular pet in marine aquaria can be found in Seychelles, Japan, Hawaii and Australia.

Feather Star Squat Lobster (Allogalathea elegans)

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The beautiful Allogalathea elegans on the above picture was taken in Cebu, Philippines where it is endemic. Feather Star Squat Lobster is also known as Crinoid Squat Lobster or Elegant Squat Lobster.

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The Feather Star Squat Lobster on the above photo is a black and white color morph. It is kept in marine aquariua because of its egg-shaped and striped body, beauty and elegance. In an aquarium, it requires a water temperature of 77–79 °F (25–26 °C), a pH of 8.1–8.3 and a salinity of 1.020–1.024. It feeds on thawed food and small freeze dried items.

Strawberry Hermit Crab (Coenobita perlatus)

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The Strawberry Hermit Crab is a terrestrial hermit crab that features reddish orange colors. This popular aquarium pet is a widespread scavenger across the Indo-Pacific region. It can grow up to 8 cm and can weigh 80 grams. In the wild, animals may live up to 30 years but only live for up to 4 years in captivity.

Caribbean Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus)

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The Caribbean Hermit Crab is lovely-looking land hermit crab endemic to the West Atlantic, Bahamas, Belize, Florida, Virgin Island, West Indies and Venezuela. This scavenger and herbivorous creature feeds on animal and plant remains, overripe fruit, and feces of other animals. It uses the shell of the West Indian Top Snail for its home.

The Caribbean Hermit Crab is a popular pet sold in the United State. It is also known for a variety of common names such as Soldier Crab, West Atlantic Crab, Tree Crab, and Purple Pincher because of the distinctive purple claw.

Ecuadorian Hermit Crab (Coenobita compressus)

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The Ecuadorian Hermit Crab, also known as the Pacific Hermit Crab is another species of land hermit crab commonly sold as pet in the United States. It is one of the smallest hermit crabs in the world growing only up to 1.2 cm in length. If properly treated, it has a lifespan of up to 23 years with some cases of reaching 32 years.

Australian Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita variabilis)

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The Australian Land Hermit Crab is a terrestrial hermit crab endemic to Australia. This creature, which is kept as a pet, is a nocturnal, omnivorous crustacean. It can attain a length of 4 cm.

See also 

• The World’s Most Colorful Crabs
• World’s Most Colorful and Unique Hermit Crabs
• Unique and Peculiar Squat Lobsters
• Freakiest and Weirdest Crabs in the World
• Amazingly Unique and Weird Lobsters 
• World’s Most Colorful Lobster in Their Natural Habitats
• World’s Most Colorful and Unique Porcelain Crabs 
• The Most Beautiful and Distinctively Colorful Hermit Crabs in the World 

The Most Beautiful and Distinctively Colorful Hermit Crabs in the World

There are about 1,100 species of “hermit crabs” in the world. These decapod crustaceans of the superfamily Paguroidea possess an asymmetrical abdomen which is concealed in an empty gastropod shell that is carried around by the hermit crab.

Here are some of the most colorful Hermit Crabs in the world.

1.) Elegant Hermit Crab (Calcinus elegans)

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Calcinus elegans is one of the most beautiful and most colorful species of hermit crabs in the world. It can be found I, the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific Ocean.

2.) Red Reef Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati)

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The lovely-looking Red Reef Hermit Crab or Scarlet Hermit Crab is a small but colorful crustacean. It grows about 3 centimeters across on the average. This hermit crab with bright red body and yellow eyestalks can be found in the Caribbean Sea.

3.) Dardanus calidus

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Dardanus calidus is an attractive hermit crab that grows to a length of 12 cm and uses large gastropod shells of Charonia species and Tonna galea. This shell is often decorated with one or more sea anemone. It feeds on decaying matter from the sea bed.

4.) Common Hermit Crab (Pagurus Bernhardus)

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Common Hermit Crab can be found in the European Atlantic’s coasts. It is also known as Soldier Crab and can grow about 3.5 cm. it inhabits sandy and rocky areas from Iceland down to southern Portugal.

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This crustacean is an opportunistic scavenger of carrion and uses several shells of different gastropods.

5.) Coenobita violascens

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Coenobita violascens is a beautiful and colorful species of land hermit crab. It is endemic to the Philippines, Nicobar Island, Thailand, Tanzania and Japan.

6.) White Spotted Hermit Crab (Dardanus megistos)

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The brightly-colored White-spotted Hermit Crab can be found on the reefs of Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean from Africa to the South China Sea and Hawaii. It can grow up to a length of 20 cm.

7.) Tricolor Hermit Crab (Clibanarius tricolor)

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The beautifully-colored Tricolor Hermit Crab can be found in the Caribbean Sea. It is also commonly name as Blue-legged Hermit Crab.

8.) Anemone Hermit Crab (Dardanus pedunculatus)

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The unique Anemone Hermit Crab is a crustacean that inhabits the Indo-Pacific region. It lives at depths of up to 27 m and collects sea anemones to place on its shell for defense.

9.) Halloween Hermit Crab (Ciliopagurus strigatus)

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The beautifully-colored Halloween Hermit Crab is a hermit crab species native to the Indo-Pacific region. It is also known as the Striped Hermit Crab or Orange Legged Hermit Crab.

See also 

• The World’s Most Colorful Crabs 
• World’s Most Colorful and Unique Hermit Crabs
• Unique and Peculiar Squat Lobsters
• Freakiest and Weirdest Crabs in the World 
• Amazingly Unique and Weird Lobsters 
• World’s Most Colorful Lobster in Their Natural Habitats 
• World’s Most Colorful and Unique Porcelain Crabs

Animals Named After Famous Rock Stars in the World

Here’s a list of animals that were name in honor of the greatest and most popular rock stars in history.

Preseucoila imallshookupis – Elvis Presley

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Preseucoila imallshookupis is a species of gall wasp. The name name, Preseucoila, is named after Elvis Presley while the species name is derived from the Elvis Presley song "All Shook Up”.

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Elvis Aaron Presley, who was born on January 8, 1935, was without a doubt, one of the most famous American singers of the 20^th century. Elvis, as he is widely known, is regarded as the “King of Rock and Roll”. He died at the age of 42 on August 16, 1977.

Zappa confluentus – Frank Zappa

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Zappa is a genus of mudskipper goby named after musician Frank Zappa "for his articulate and sagacious defense of the First Amend,ment of the U.S. Constitution" The species was named Zappa confluentus.

Phialella zappai – Frank Zappa

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Frank Zappa is perhaps the musician to whom numerous animal species were named after him. One of these animal species is the Phialella zappai. This creature is a species of a jellyfish.

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Another creature named for Frank Zappa is the Pachygnatha zappa. It is a spider named for him because of its unique markings which resemble Zappa’s famous mustache.

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Frank Vincent Zappa, who was born on December 21, 1940, was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, film director and record producer. He died on December 4, 1993 at the age of 52.

Struszia mccartneyi - Paul McCartney

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An animal named for Paul McCartney is the Struszia mccartneyi, It is a species of trilobite.

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Sir James Paul McCartney, who was born on June 18, 1942, is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. According to the Guinness World Records, he is the most commercially successful songwriter in the history of pop music. He was a former member of the famous band “The Beatles” and the “Wings”.

Cirolana mercuryi – Freddie Mercury

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An animal named for Freddie Mercury is the Cirolana mercury. It is a species of isopod found on coral reefs off Bawe Island in East Africa. "Arguably Zanzibar's most famous popular musician and singer"

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Freddie Mercury, who was born Farrokh Bulsara on September 5, 1946, was a famous British rock star and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer of the band Queen”. He died of bronchopneumonia because of AIDS on November 24, 1991 at the age of 45. Mercury is arguably the most famous musician and singer of Zanzibar.

 Aegrotocatellus jaggeri – Mick Jagger

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An animal named for Mick Jagger is the Aegrotocatellus jaggeri. Is a species of trilobite which existed in what is now Nunavut in Canada.

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Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger, who was born on July 26, 1943, is a popular English musician, singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Jagger is best known as the lead vocalist of rock band “The Rolling Stone”.

Orectochilus orbisonorum – Roy Orbison

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Orectochilus orbisonorum is a newly discovered species of whirligig beetle named in honor of Roy and Barbara Orbison. This creature is black on top and translucent white on the bottom and can be found in India.

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Roy Kelton Orbison, who was born on April 23, 1936, was a popular American singer-songwriter. He was well-known for his distinctive powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. He died of heart attack on December 6, 1988. His most popular songs include “Oh, Pretty Woman”, “Crying”, “Only the Lonely” and many others.

Perirehaedulus richardsi – Keith Richard

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Perirehaedulus richardsi is a species of prehistoric trilobite named after Keith Richards, a British musician.

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Keith Richards was born on December 18, 1943. He is an English musician, songwriter and founding member of popular band “The Rolling Stones’. He is recognized by the Rolling Stone magazine as the “10^th greatest guitarist of all time”.

Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi – Neil Young

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A creature named for the rock musician Neil Young is the Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi. It is a species of trapdoor spider described in 2007.

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Neil Percival Young is a popular candian singer-songwriter who was born on November 12, 1945. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation. Young has been inducted into the Hall of Fame twice: first as a solo artist in 1995 and second as a member of Buffalo Springfield in 1997

Hyla stingi – Sting

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Hyla stingi is a Colombian tree frog named after rock superstar Sting in recognition of his work for the rain forest. This frog spends much of its lifespan in trees, known as an arboreal state

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Sting’s real name is Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner. He was born on October 2, 1951. This famous English musician, singer-songwriter, activist, actor and philanthropist was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist of the rock band “The Police”.

Cryptocercus garciai – Jerry Garcia

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Cryptocercus garciai is a species of wood roach named after Jerry Garcia, an American musician.

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Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician who was born on August 1, 1942. He is best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the “Grateful Dead”. He died on August 9, 1995.

Arcticalymene jonesi – Steve Jones

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Arcticalymene is a genus of trilobite. It includes species named after each of the Sex Pistols: Arcticalymene jonesi was named after Steve Jones. The others were A. cooki (Paul Cook), A. matlocki (Glen Matlock), A. rotteni (Johnny Rotten) and A. viciousi (Sid vicious), all named by Adrian and Edgecombe in 1997

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Stephen Philip "Steve" Jones is an English rock guitarist, singer and actor who was born on September 3, 1955. ) He is one of the founding member and guitarist of the band “Sex Pistols”.

See also 

• Animal Names Which Are Common Human Names
• Unusual and Fancy But Somehow Interesting Collective Names of Animals
• Animals Named After Billionaires and Sports Personalities 
• Names of Animal Nest 
• Animals Named After Famous Celebrities

World’s Most Colorful and Unique Porcelain Crabs

There are about 277 species of porcelain crabs known. Porcelain Crabs belong to Porcellanidae family of decapods crustaceans. These marine animals superficially resemble true crabs. These crabs are known for their colorful and glossy shells.

Here are some of the most beautiful and distinct species of porcelain crabs in the world.

Porcelain Anemone Crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus)

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This beautiful Porcelain Crab is on a Carpet Anemone. The Porcelain Anemone Crab or Neopetrolisthes maculatus and other porcelain crabs such as N. ohshimai, N. alobatus and N. spinatus live on sea anemones.

Neopetrolisthes ohshimai

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Neopetrolisthes ohshimai is a colorful spotted porcelain crab species. It can be found in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. This small and colorful crustacean with porcelain-like shell is usually found within the stinging tentacles of a number of sea anemones species

Long-clawed Porcelain Crab (Pisidia longicornis)

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The Long-clawed Porcelain Crab is a brightly-colored porcelain crab species that can be found in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Angola. It can be found also in the Mediterranean. Its color varies from reddish or orange to white. Its carapace grows up t 1 cm.

New Zealand Half Crab (Petrolisthes elongates)

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One of the weirdest-looking but colorful crab in the world is the New Zealand Half Crab. This porcelain crab species was commonly named because of its appearance. It can be found in New Zealand and Tasmania.

Broad-clawed Porcelain Crab (Porcellana platycheles)

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The Broad-clawed Porcelain Crab is another weird-looking porcelain crab species due to its hairy appearance. It may reach a size of 1.5 cm and is found in the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. This porcelain crab feeds on carrion and other organic debris.

See also

• The World’s Most Colorful Crabs
• World’s Most Colorful and Unique Hermit Crabs
• Unique and Peculiar Squat Lobsters
• Freakiest and Weirdest Crabs in the World
• Amazingly Unique and Weird Lobsters

World’s Most Colorful and Unique Penguins

Penguins are among the most popular animals in the world. Take a look at the most colorful and unique-looking species of penguins in the world.

Little Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor)

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The Little Blue Penguin is perhaps the most beautifully colored of all penguin species. Most penguin species are black  and white and color but this species is blue with white breast. It also holds the distinction as the world’s smallest penguin species. It can grow up to 33 cm and can be found in Australia and New Zealand. To the Maori people, it is known as Korora.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus)

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The King Penguin is one of the largest penguin species n the world. It is the second largest species and can weigh as much as 16 kg. Only the Emperor Penguin is larger than the King Penguin.  This beautifully-colored penguin species can be found in the South Atlantic andhalli elsewhere.

Royal Penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli)

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The Royal Penguin is pretty species of penguin with pink feet and underwings aside from its colorful crest. It stands more than 2 ft tall or 70 cm and can weigh 6 kg or more. They breed only on Macquarie Island.

Southern Rockhopper Penguin(Eudyptes chrysocome)

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The unique-looking Southern Rockhopper Penguin is formerly known as Western Rockhopper Penguin. It can be found in sub-Arctic waters of the Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean and southern coast of South America. It is a distinct species for its awesome crest.

Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

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Emperor Penguins are not just the world’s tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species but also beautiful and somewhat colorful. These creatures, which are native to Antarctica, can weigh as much as 45 kg and can reach a height of 122 cm or 4 ft. The dorsal side and head are black and sharply delineated from the white belly, pale-yellow breast and bright-yellow ear patches.

Fiordland Crested Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus)

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The Fiordland Crested Penguin is a unique-looking penguin species. It is also known as Tawaki among the Maori people of New Zealand. This crested penguin is endemic to New Zealand and breeds along the Fjordland coast hence its common name. they also breed on Stewart Island.

Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus)

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Another unique species of penguin is the Macaroni Penguin. It is distinct for its colorful crest and prominent bill. It can be found from the sub-Antarctic to the Anttarctic Peninsula. Macaroni Penguin bears a distinctive yellow crest, and the face and upperparts are black and sharply delineated from the white underpants. It is similar in height and weight to the Royal Penguin.

See also 

• Interesting Facts About Penguins
• 30 Amazing and Interesting Facts About Elephants Seals