Strawberry Crab (Neoliomera Pubescens)

The Strawberry Crab, also known as the Red Boxing Crab, is a visually stunning and unique addition to marine aquariums. With its vibrant red-pink body dotted with small white spots, it closely resembles a ripe strawberry, making it a beautiful and eye-catching addition to reef tanks. This crab is primarily nocturnal, spending its days hiding among rockwork and venturing out at night to scavenge for food. While generally reef-safe, it’s best suited for peaceful tanks with plenty of hiding spots to accommodate its shy nature.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 2 inches.
• Tank Size: 20 gallons minimum; requires plenty of rockwork and hiding spots to feel secure.
• Diet: Omnivorous; primarily a scavenger, feeding on detritus and leftover food. It also accepts a variety of supplemental foods, including algae wafers, sinking pellets, and meaty foods like brine shrimp and mysis shrimp.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful to semi-aggressive; generally peaceful with fish and corals, but may exhibit territorial behavior towards other crabs or small invertebrates, especially if space is limited.
• Skill Level: Beginner; hardy and low-maintenance, suitable for aquarists of all levels.
• Reef Compatibility: With caution; while mostly reef-safe, it may nip at small invertebrates or corals if underfed. Ensuring consistent food availability helps reduce this behavior.

Special Feature - Nocturnal Behavior
The Strawberry Crab is primarily nocturnal, spending the day hiding in crevices and rockwork. At night, it emerges to scavenge for food, making it a beneficial member of the tank’s cleanup crew. Providing ample rockwork and caves will help it feel secure and display more natural behaviors.

Compatibility
The Strawberry Crab is compatible with peaceful tankmates, including most fish and corals. However, it may be territorial toward other crabs and small invertebrates if food or space is limited. To reduce any aggressive tendencies, ensure it has sufficient food and space.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Strawberry Crab is easily recognizable by its vibrant red-pink body covered in small white spots, resembling a strawberry. This unique coloration adds an exotic and colorful touch to any aquarium​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Found in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in reef environments, where it inhabits rocky crevices and coral heads. It spends much of its time hidden among rocks and emerges at night to scavenge for food.