{"product_id":"pithos-crab","title":"Pithos Crab","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePithos Crab\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a hardworking reef aquarium clean-up crew member prized for its appetite for nuisance algae and constant grazing behavior. Often added to established saltwater aquariums as a natural algae-control option, Pithos Crabs spend much of their time picking at rockwork and searching for algae and leftover food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir ability to graze in areas that snails may overlook makes them an excellent addition to a diverse \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esaltwater aquarium clean-up crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, especially when combined with snails, hermit crabs, conchs, and shrimp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePithos Crab Care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePitho\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pithos Crab\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Marine Crab \/ Clean-Up Crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Easy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Generally Peaceful\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Generally Reef Safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Primarily Herbivore \/ Omnivore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Area:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rockwork \u0026amp; Substrate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 74–80°F\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSalinity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1.023–1.026 SG\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended pH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat Do Pithos Crabs Eat?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePithos Crabs are primarily valued as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ealgae grazers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. They spend their time picking at algae growing on live rock and other aquarium surfaces and may also consume leftover food and other organic material they encounter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are commonly sought after by reef keepers dealing with nuisance algae and can be particularly useful as part of a larger clean-up crew where different invertebrates target different areas and food sources.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo clean-up crew animal should be considered a guaranteed solution to a specific algae outbreak. Proper nutrient management, lighting, water quality, and regular aquarium maintenance remain important for long-term algae control.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePithos Crabs in a Reef Aquarium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePithos Crabs are generally considered \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ereef-safe when appropriately fed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and are commonly kept in aquariums containing corals and other reef invertebrates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProviding plenty of established rockwork gives the crab surfaces to graze and areas to retreat into when it wants shelter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf natural algae becomes limited, supplemental foods such as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003edried marine algae, algae-based sinking foods, and other appropriate marine foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e can help ensure the crab has enough to eat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike other marine invertebrates, Pithos Crabs are sensitive to rapid changes in salinity and water chemistry. Careful acclimation and stable reef parameters are recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy Add a Pithos Crab to Your Clean-Up Crew?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePithos Crab\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an excellent choice for reef keepers looking to add another dedicated algae grazer to their aquarium. Its constant picking behavior complements snails and hermit crabs while adding greater diversity to the clean-up crew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor aquariums experiencing nuisance algae—or reef keepers simply looking to build a more complete \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ereef clean-up crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—the Pithos Crab is a useful and interesting addition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePithos Crabs are also included in our \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIsland Reef Aquatics Large Invert Pack\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which combines multiple algae grazers, scavengers, and sand-bed cleaners into one complete clean-up crew package.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailable from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIsland Reef Aquatics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with local pickup in Deltona, Florida and shipping available.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Island Reef Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48662507651266,"sku":null,"price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0771\/3354\/5666\/files\/Pithos_Crab_reef_safe_algae_eating_marine_crab_for_saltwater_aquarium_clean_up_crew.png?v=1789424108","url":"https:\/\/islandreefaquatics.com\/products\/pithos-crab","provider":"Island Reef Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}