Sally Lightfoot Crab

Sally Lightfoot Crabs are usually very energetic, and can be entertaining to watch. They are not considered to be particularly aggressive, and can do well in a variety of community tanks. Sally Lightfoot Crabs are particularly useful as cleaners, eating algae and other debris that they find in their aquarium. They are often found scavenging in live rock. When large enough, Sally Lightfoot Crabs may eat smaller fish that have died. Sally Lightfoot Crabs are generally considered to be reef safe, although many will walk indiscriminately over corals, causing them to close or retract. This condition is only temporary and usually causes no damage to the coral. The Sally Lightfoot Crab generally gets along well with other Sally Lightfoot Crabs. However, more aggressive crabs, or other, larger species, may eat Sally Lightfoot Crabs. On the whole, Sally Lightfoot Crabs are quite hardy and rather easy to care for. However, they cannot tolerate poor water quality, and may have molting problems if levels of trace elements or minerals become depleted. Hiding places, particularly open rockwork, will be utilized if provided. In the wild, Sally Lightfoot Crabs are often found hiding in rock crevices or under sea urchins. The Sally Lightfoot Crab grows to lengths between 3 and 5 inches (8 and 12 centimeters). They are rather flat and low to the ground and have been called "spider-like" or quadratic in shape. These crabs are greenish brown in color. Their legs are marked with yellow or orange bands, particularly about the joints. Sally Lightfoot Crabs have two antennae, which are almost constantly in motion.