Crabby Cravings
Hermit crab and exotic pet supplies
Coenobita clypeatus - Purple Pinchers
Coenobita clypeatus – Purple Pinchers, Soldier crab, Purple claw crab, Caribbean hermit crab
Identifying features: Usually purple pinchers will have a purple claw but this can vary due to general exo colouring. They have short, round eystalks with round eyes and large amounts of setae (hair like chitin) on the limbs. The bottom half of the eye can be more flattened than round and colour can vary among individuals.
Colour range: PPs can range from orange with the trademark purple claw or lavenders, pinks and peachy shades as youngsters through to purples, reds, browns and other colours as they get larger. Pale or washed out colouring as they grow may indicate poor diet or health but some crabs can have naturally pale colouring. The wide range of colours means newer keepers sometimes mistake them for different species.
Temperature: 26 – 28c
Humidity: 80%
Shell preference: They are generally more open to a wider range of shells than other species, round openings such as green, silvermouth, Mexican, tapestry and jade turbos are the favourites. Magpies are a favoured native shell but “Fairy” land snails and other species may be taken. Turbos are the favourite for most in captivity.
Dietary needs: A varied diet of fresh and dried fruit, vegetables, protein, calcium, seaweed and other plant sources is important. Fresh dechlorinated and marine salt water should also be offered. Brightly coloured foods, krill and tannin rich leaves will help maintain strong exoskeleton colour.
Coenobita clypeatus is the most commonly kept species of land hermit crab and generally considered the hardiest to beginner mistakes and stress. Good care standards are still vitally important, this hardy nature means they are more likely to survive in sub-par conditions for months or years before distress is recognised or they pass away. This can lead to keepers not recognising issues. They are also fairly fast growing and with good care capable of reaching large sizes.
Generally fairly sweet natured and fairly active at night. Larger colonies are usually able to coexist happily so long as the appropriate setup is provided with sufficient resources like spare shells, space and food.
A standard substrate mix of mostly playsand with some coir added works perfectly for PPs, with the recommended base ratio being 5 parts sand to 1 part coir, and allows them to tunnel when they wish. While they will sometimes dig for the sake of digging as long as some cover is provided they will spend a lot of time above surface and readily climb any branches provided. Purple pinchers are excellent at climbing and will relish any opportunity provided.
C clypeatus also seem less vulnerable to mites than the other “exotic” species, with it often being found that infected individuals had contracted them from other species.
Sometimes sold as a “fancy crab” and “common” crab by petstores, this is usually done based on the shells they are wearing, not species difference.
For general care info please see the appropriate guides.
Written by Rachel for Crabby Cravings, not to be reproduced or reused without permission.