Pom Pom Crab

Pom Pom Crab requires a minimum of 10 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (0.75 inch), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Pom Pom Crab sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.

The Pom Pom Crab is rated intermediate difficulty on this care sheet. It needs a tank of at least 10 gallons, a temperature of 76-80°F (24-27°C) and pH 8.1-8.4. Adults reach about 0.75 inch and live 2-4 years. Pom Pom Crab (Lybia tessellata) is a intermediate-care saltwater species that thrives in tanks of 10 gallons or larger with stable parameters.

Pom Pom Crab requires standard reef parameters held tightly stable: Temperature: 76-80°F (24-27°C) Specific gravity: 1.025 (refractometer-measured) pH: 8.1-8.4 Alkalinity: 8-9 dKH Calcium: 420-450 ppm Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm Ammonia + nitrite: Both 0 ppm Nitrate: Under 10 ppm Copper: 0 (lethal to invertebrates) Pom Pom Crab is sensitive to copper - never medicate the display tank with copper if Pom Pom Crab is present.

Pom Pom Crab is a omnivore. Eats a varied diet of pellets, frozen foods, and supplemental greens. Quality flake or pellet (Hikari, New Life Spectrum, Tetra) plus frozen mysis or bloodworms 2-3x weekly produces best color and behavior. Feed Pom Pom Crab appropriately for its size + activity level.

Pom Pom Crab is generally peaceful and compatible with most reef community species. Avoid keeping with predatory fish that view inverts as food: large wrasses (especially halichoeres + thalassoma), triggerfish, pufferfish, and certain large angelfish. Multiple Pom Pom Crab can share a tank but compete for food. Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Pom Pom Crab and similar species.

Pom Pom Crab reaches 0.75 inch at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 2-4 years with proper care. Many marine inverts molt periodically; provide adequate calcium and a stable parameter regime to support healthy molts. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (0.75 inch), territorial range, and behavior pattern.

Pom Pom Crab is sensitive to copper, ammonia spikes, low oxygen, and rapid parameter swings. NEVER use copper medications in a tank with Pom Pom Crab. Symptoms of stress: reclusive behavior, color loss, refusal to feed, abnormal molting (incomplete or stuck molts). Most Pom Pom Crab deaths trace back to acclimation shock or parameter mismatch - drip-acclimate over 45-60 minutes when adding to a new tank.

Pom Pom Crab (Lybia tessellata) is native to Indo-Pacific reef ecosystems, with wild populations distributed across coral reefs, sandy lagoons, and rocky tide pools. Captive specimens are typically wild-collected; some species are starting to be aquacultured but most Pom Pom Crab sold today still comes from wild reef collection. Sustainable sourcing matters - look for vendors who can verify their collection practices, and consider aquacultured alternatives when available.