Lybia

Lybia (common names include boxer crabs, boxing crabs and pom-pom crabs) is a genus of small crabs, including Lybia tesselata and Lybia edmondsoni. They are notable for their mutualism with sea anemones, which grow on their claws for defense. In return, the anemones find new places to eat and mate. Boxer crabs use at least three different species of anemones, including Bundeopsis sp. and Triactis producta. The bonding with the anemone is not required for survival, however, and boxer crabs have frequently been known to live without them, sometimes substituting other organisms such as sponges and corals.

In aquaria

Lybia species have been kept in aquariums, to successful results. Although their anemones require more precise levels and sometimes fail to survive, Lybia species have been known to live several years in captivity. Proper levels attained, Lybia are fine choices for smaller nano tanks. An individual might be eaten, however, by potential predators in a larger tank (i.e., groupers, lionfish, etc.), and so care must be taken when choosing tankmates.

References

External links

Boxer Crab, Lybia tesselata. Aquarium World

Category:Xanthoidea