Bo Davidsson, Schweden
Info
Lybia tessellata (Latreille, in Milbert, 1812)
An extremely bizarre and very interesting animal! Lybia species carry small sea anemones (Triactis producta) in their claws for defense, which is where they got their name, boxer crabs. After some time they need new sea anemones, because they do not treat them very carefully. In case of need they also take glass anemones or other sea anemones.
Many crab species can store sperm in their spermathecae (this has been proven for at least 18 months). So it is not uncommon that females kept singly in the aquarium suddenly become pregnant and carry the orange-red spawning ball under their belly.
The developing larvae swim freely in the water and are usually all eaten after one day in a normal tank. For breeding they need light, a certain current and certain food, and most importantly a constant temperature of around 25 degrees. Isolated breeding is possible, but it is a lot of work.
Lybia tessellata has the reputation to eat also bristle worms. These crabs are peaceful fellows and well suited for the care in the aquarium.
Since it is a rather small crab species it will hardly be found again in large tanks. Best suited for nano tanks. The boxer crab is mainly nocturnal.
Synonymised names:
Grapse tessellata Latreille in Milbert, 1812 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Melia tessellata (Latreille in Milbert, 1812) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Melia tresselata (Latreille in Milbert, 1812) · unaccepted > misspelling
An extremely bizarre and very interesting animal! Lybia species carry small sea anemones (Triactis producta) in their claws for defense, which is where they got their name, boxer crabs. After some time they need new sea anemones, because they do not treat them very carefully. In case of need they also take glass anemones or other sea anemones.
Many crab species can store sperm in their spermathecae (this has been proven for at least 18 months). So it is not uncommon that females kept singly in the aquarium suddenly become pregnant and carry the orange-red spawning ball under their belly.
The developing larvae swim freely in the water and are usually all eaten after one day in a normal tank. For breeding they need light, a certain current and certain food, and most importantly a constant temperature of around 25 degrees. Isolated breeding is possible, but it is a lot of work.
Lybia tessellata has the reputation to eat also bristle worms. These crabs are peaceful fellows and well suited for the care in the aquarium.
Since it is a rather small crab species it will hardly be found again in large tanks. Best suited for nano tanks. The boxer crab is mainly nocturnal.
Synonymised names:
Grapse tessellata Latreille in Milbert, 1812 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Melia tessellata (Latreille in Milbert, 1812) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Melia tresselata (Latreille in Milbert, 1812) · unaccepted > misspelling
