Types of Hermit Crabs: 6 Pet Species Explained

There are over 800 species of hermit crabs worldwide, but only a handful are kept as pets. The 6 most common are the Caribbean, Ecuadorian, Strawberry, Indo, Ruggie, and Australian.

Caribbean and Ecuadorian are the two you will almost always find in a pet store. This guide covers all six and how to tell them apart.

Land vs Marine Hermit Crabs:

There are two big groups: land hermit crabs and marine hermit crabs.

Land hermit crabs are the ones sold as pets. They breathe air through modified gills and live on land.

Marine hermit crabs live fully underwater in saltwater aquariums, usually as reef tank cleanup crew. This guide focuses on the land species kept as pets.

The 6 Most Common Pet Hermit Crab Species

Here are the all 6 most common species of hermit crab

Caribbean Hermit Crab (Purple Pincher):

Scientific name Coenobita clypeatus. The most common pet hermit crab in the US. Nicknames include PP, purple pincher, tree crab, soldier crab.

Spot them by a large purple or blue claw, round eyes, and reddish-brown legs. Hardy, and they live 15 to 25 years, sometimes past 40. They tolerate fresh water plus a salt dish, unlike Ecuadorians.

Ecuadorian Hermit Crab (Eccie):

Scientific name Coenobita compressus. The second most common pet species, nicknamed Eccie, E-crab, Pacific crab.

One of the smallest land species, growing to about 1 inch, with oval eyes and claws matching the leg color. Faster than Caribbeans, but needs saltwater to survive and is sensitive to dry air.

Strawberry Hermit Crab:

Scientific name Coenobita perlatus. Bright red with small white spots, named for the resemblance.

Beautiful but more delicate than Caribbeans. They need very high humidity and constant saltwater access. Best kept by experienced owners.

Indonesian Hermit Crab (Indo):

Scientific name Coenobita brevimanus. One of the largest and longest-living land species, reported living 12 to 70 years depending on care.

Purplish body, round eyes, and a disproportionately large, bulbous claw. Burrows deep, staying underground for long stretches.

A warning worth knowing. Sellers often mislabel a different species, Coenobita violascens or “Viola,” as an Indo. Violas run smaller with slender eyes, not round, and need even higher humidity.

Ruggie Hermit Crab:

Scientific name Coenobita rugosus. Named for the ridges on their claws, “rugosus” means wrinkled.

Known for being vocal, chirping through stridulation. Colors range tan to dark green, usually with a stitch-like mark on the claw.

Australian Land Hermit Crab:

Scientific name Coenobita variabilis. Native to Australia, in colors from cream to tan to pinkish.

Active and curious, medium sized. Less common outside Australia but popular where available.

Quick Comparison Chart

Species	Eyes	Difficulty	Best for
Caribbean (PP)	Round	Easy	Beginners
Ecuadorian (Eccie)	Oval	Medium	Active tank watchers
Strawberry	Round	Hard	Experienced keepers
Indonesian (Indo)	Round	Medium	Long-term commitment
Ruggie	Oval	Medium	People who want chirpers
Australian	Round	Medium	Australian keepers

How to Tell Caribbean vs Ecuadorian (The 2 You’ll See Most)

These two fill almost every pet store shelf.

• Eyes. Caribbean round, Ecuadorian oval and almond-shaped. The easiest tell.
• Claw color. Caribbean claws stand out purple or blue. Ecuadorian claws match the leg color.
• Body shape. Ecuadorians are wider and flatter. Caribbeans are more rounded.
• Activity. Ecuadorians move faster. Caribbeans are more laid back.
• Water needs. Caribbeans tolerate fresh water plus a salt dish. Ecuadorians need saltwater to survive.
• Size. Caribbeans grow larger, up to baseball size or bigger. Ecuadorians stay near 1 inch.

Can Different Species Live Together?

Yes, in most cases. Caribbean, Ecuadorian, and Ruggie share a tank fine when temperature and humidity needs overlap, which they mostly do.

Watch water access. Ecuadorians and Strawberries need constant saltwater. Keep plenty of spare shells so nobody fights over a home.

Which Species Is Right for You?

• Total beginner. Caribbean, the hardiest and most forgiving.
• Want an active tank. Ecuadorian, faster and more fun to watch, slightly more demanding.
• Want a chatty tank. Ruggie, the most vocal, chirps often.
• Want a lifelong pet. Indonesian or Caribbean, both capable of two decades or more.
• Want a showpiece. Strawberry, gorgeous but expert-level care.

Conclusion

Over 800 species of hermit crabs exist, but the six you will see as pets are Caribbean, Ecuadorian, Strawberry, Indonesian, Ruggie, and Australian. Caribbean is the best beginner choice, hardy and long-lived.

Whichever type you pick, the care basics stay the same: warmth, humidity, deep substrate, fresh and salt water, real food, spare shells, and company.

(FAQs):