Pom-Pom Crab
(Lybia tesselata)

Description

Pom-Pom Crab: Your Tiny, Enchanting Aquatic Cheerleader

Add a captivating personality to your marine aquarium with the unique Pom-Pom Crab. Known for its fascinating symbiotic relationship with stinging anemones, this small invertebrate is a truly mesmerising addition.

Overview

The Pom-Pom Crab (*Lybia tesselata*) is a diminutive and intricate marine crustacean, typically reaching 2.5 cm. Its carapace features a beautiful mosaic pattern, giving it a stained-glass appearance. This crab is famed for wielding a small sea anemone in each claw, used for both defense and food collection, resembling miniature pom-poms or boxing gloves. Shy and often nocturnal, it moves delicately across live rock and substrate.

Care Level

Considered an easy to moderate care level species, the Pom-Pom Crab is generally peaceful but its anemones can sting corals or other sessile invertebrates if contact occurs. Choose tankmates carefully, avoiding aggressive fish that might view it as prey. This resilient invertebrate thrives in stable reef environments.

Tank Essentials

A minimum tank size of 19 litres (5 gallons) is suitable for a single Pom-Pom Crab, with 38 litres (10 gallons) offering more space. Maintain stable marine conditions: pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 22–27°C. Provide ample live rock and hiding spots for security and foraging.

Diet

The Pom-Pom Crab is an omnivorous scavenger. It uses its anemones to collect detritus and food particles. Supplement its diet with finely chopped meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, or sinking pellets.

Why Buy From Us

When you buy Pom-Pom Crab online from us, you receive healthy aquarium fish and invertebrates sourced responsibly. Our careful quarantine protocols and humane shipping ensure your new aquatic cheerleaders arrive vibrant and ready to thrive in your marine setup.

• Scientific Name: Lybia tesselata
• Common Name / Variant: Pom-Pom Crab, Boxer Crab, Mosaic Boxer Crab
• Maximum Size: 2.5 cm
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to New Guinea, Hawaii)
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Temperature: 22–27°C
• Lifespan: Up to 3 years
• Swimming Zone: Bottom

Bring the unique charm of the Pom-Pom Crab to your reef aquarium today!