Rust-Spotted Guard Crab
(Trapezia rufopunctata)

Descrição

Rust-Spotted Guard Crab: Your Coral’s Dedicated Protector

Add a fascinating natural bodyguard to your reef! The Rust-Spotted Guard Crab offers vibrant colour and an engaging symbiotic relationship, diligently protecting your prized corals.

Overview

The Rust-Spotted Guard Crab (*Trapezia rufopunctata*) is a captivating marine invertebrate, sporting a distinctive trapezoidal carapace adorned with numerous reddish or orange spots over a white to pink background, complemented by striking green eyes. They possess four pairs of walking legs and prominent, flattened claws. These crabs are primarily coral-dwelling, exhibiting a fascinating mutualistic relationship where they actively defend their host corals, such as Pocillopora and Acropora species, from various predators while residing safely within the coral branches.

Care Level

Caring for the Rust-Spotted Guard Crab is considered easy to moderate. These reef-safe invertebrates are generally peaceful but can exhibit territorial behaviour concerning their host coral. They are an excellent choice for established reef aquariums featuring suitable branching corals, adding both beauty and a natural protective element to your healthy aquarium fish and corals.

Tank Essentials

A minimum tank size of 50 litres is recommended, provided it contains ample branching stony corals like Pocillopora or Acropora for them to inhabit. Maintain stable water parameters: a temperature range of 24–27°C, pH between 8.1–8.4, and a salinity of 1.024–1.026. Consistent alkalinity and calcium levels are crucial for both coral and crab well-being.

Diet

These omnivorous crabs primarily feed on coral mucus, polyps, detritus, plankton, and bacteria found on their host coral. Their diet can be supplemented with small meaty foods like mysis shrimp, finely chopped seafood, or quality sinking invertebrate pellets.

Why Buy From Us

When you buy Rust-Spotted Guard Crab online from Corais de Vidro, you receive healthy, responsibly sourced invertebrates. We prioritize ethical collection and humane shipping, ensuring your new additions arrive in prime condition, ready to thrive in your reef system and contribute to your Rust-Spotted Guard Crab care success.

• Scientific Name: *Trapezia rufopunctata*
• Common Name / Variant: Rust-Spotted Guard Crab
• Maximum Size: 5 cm (carapace width)
• Origin: Indo-Pacific
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Temperature: 24–27°C
• Lifespan: [data unavailable]
• Swimming Zone: Coral-dwelling / Bottom

Bring home a beneficial and beautiful Rust-Spotted Guard Crab for your reef tank today!