Origin
Native to the Gulf of California and the Pacific coast of Mexico, typically found in intertidal and shallow reef zones with sandy or rocky bottoms.

Visual & Behavioral Appeal
These tiny hermits feature bright scarlet leg tips and jet-black eyes on stalks. They stay busy grazing surfaces, climbing rockwork, and occasionally engaging in shell-swapping antics.

Purpose
Helps control algae, cyanobacteria, and detritus buildup. Stirring sand and scavenging leftover food makes them essential in nutrient management.

Importance
Low-maintenance and peaceful, they reduce tank maintenance and are ideal for nano to full reef systems. Also fun to watch due to their constant movement and quirky shell behavior.

Included Resources
Requires a range of empty shells (of various sizes) to accommodate growth. Gentle water flow, live rock, and sandy substrate ideal. Avoid copper-based medications.

Best Use Cases
Excellent in nano reefs, cleanup crews, or beginner marine tanks. Works well with corals, small fish, and other peaceful inverts.

Conservation Context
Not threatened, but habitat degradation and overcollection in some areas are concerns. Sustainable harvesting practices are essential for long-term population health.

Ideal Aquatic Species
• Snails (cerith, trochus)
• Cleaner shrimp
• Small gobies and clownfish
• Zoanthids, mushrooms, and soft corals
• Other peaceful hermit crabs

Region (A)
• Latitude: 27.5064° N
• Longitude: -112.2007° W
(Baja California, Mexico — rocky shorelines)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 23.6345° N
• Longitude: -102.5528° W
(Gulf of California coastal waters)