Black Blue-knee Hermit Crab

Dardanus guttatus

Dardanus guttatus is the scientific name for a species of marine hermit crab, known for its patterned appearance and commonly found in Indo-Pacific reef habitats.

Placement:

• Requires a large tank (ideally 75+ gallons) due to its size.
• Provide:
  • Stable live rock structures for climbing and shelter
  • Open sandy substrate for movement
• Secure rockwork to prevent collapse when the crab digs or moves large objects.

Feeding

• Omnivorous scavenger.
• Will consume:
  • Detritus
  • Algae
  • Leftover fish food
  • Meaty items like shrimp, mussels, or squid
• Supplement feeding helps reduce aggression and predation.

Aggression

• Moderately aggressive, especially toward:
  • Snails (for shells)
  • Smaller or weaker inverts
• They may cohabitate with other inverts if well-fed and provided with plenty of spare shells.
• Monitor closely in community tanks.