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Pom Pom Crab (Boxing Crab) – Lybia tessellata
Add a fun and unique personality to your reef tank with the Pom Pom Crab, also known as the Boxing Crab (Lybia tessellata). This tiny reef-safe crab is famous for holding miniature anemones in its claws like “pom poms,” using them for both defense and feeding. A true nano-reef favorite, Pom Pom Crabs are peaceful, fascinating to watch, and a great addition to almost any marine aquarium.
Why We Love Pom Pom Crabs
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Reef Safe – safe with corals and rockwork
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Unique Behavior – carries anemones in its claws like pom poms
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Great for Nano Tanks – stays small and doesn’t require much space
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Peaceful & Interesting – excellent cleanup crew helper and display animal
Care & Compatibility
Pom Pom Crabs are hardy and do best in established reef aquariums with plenty of live rock, caves, and hiding spots. They are mostly nocturnal, but once settled in, you’ll often see them exploring and foraging around the tank.
They are generally peaceful but may be territorial with other small crabs if space is limited, so keep that in mind for very small systems.
Diet
Pom Pom Crabs are omnivores and will happily accept a wide variety of foods, including:
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Frozen mysis shrimp
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Brine shrimp
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Finely chopped seafood
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Pellet and flake foods
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Reef-safe meaty foods
Feeding a few times per week is ideal, especially in smaller tanks.
Size & Tank Requirements
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Adult Size: ~1 inch (very small)
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Minimum Tank Size: 5+ gallons (nano-friendly)
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Temperament: Peaceful
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Reef Safe: Yes
Recommended Water Parameters
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Temperature: 76–80°F
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Salinity: 1.024–1.026
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Alkalinity: 8–11 dKH
✅ Looking for a reef-safe invert that’s truly different? The Pom Pom Crab is one of the most entertaining and unique crabs you can add to a reef tank — perfect for nano reefs and larger systems alike.
