Not furry either, still lovely.
Pom Pom Crab
Lybia tessellata
Also called Boxer crab, Cheerleader crab, Pom-pom crab
From Shallow tropical Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Indonesia and New Guinea, north to Japan and east to Hawaii.1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives a carapace width of about 2.5 cm; LiveAquaria lists a maximum of 1 in (about 2.5 cm).
Looks how to spot one
Hard exoskeleton
A tiny crab whose shell is covered in a web of dark lines over a pale background, giving a stained-glass look. The legs are striped with dark bands and dotted with white. In each claw it usually holds a small living sea anemone.12
Personality what they are like
Shy and peaceful. When it feels threatened it waves its anemones toward the intruder like boxing gloves. It is easiest to spot at night once the tank lights are off.123
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A small, secretive crab that moves around rocks and gravel, mostly after dark, dabbing its anemones on surfaces to collect food.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Rated easy. LiveAquaria recommends keeping calcium, magnesium, iodine and trace elements at reef levels. Its anemones can lightly touch nearby corals, but LiveAquaria notes any effect is small because the anemones are tiny.2
Home where they are happiest
A marine aquarium with rockwork and sand or gravel where it can hide. LiveAquaria gives 72-78 °F (about 22-26 °C), pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12 and specific gravity 1.020-1.025. Wild crabs live on sandy, gravelly bottoms and among live corals in shallow water. No minimum tank size was given by the sources.21
Food basics what goes in the bowl
An omnivore that gathers food using the tentacles of its anemones and passes it to its mouth. In aquariums, offer small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, chopped fish and clam.12
Company who they like around
Best with peaceful tankmates that will not outcompete it at feeding time. The sources give no guidance on keeping several together.2
The story where it all began
Latreille named this crab in 1812. Its habit of holding anemones was first noted by Möbius in 1880, and studies since 2013 have looked closely at how the crab and its anemones share food and protection.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
If it loses one anemone, the crab can pull the remaining one in two, and each half regrows into a full anemone (Schnytzer et al., 2017).3
- 2
It cannot feed well with its own claws, so it uses the anemone tentacles like little mops to pick up food.1
- 3
The 'boxer' name comes from the way it jabs its anemones at rivals as if wearing boxing gloves.3
- 4
Females carry bright red eggs under the abdomen until they hatch.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- Described by Latreille (in Milbert) in 1812; one of about eight living species in the genus Lybia (family Xanthidae).1
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- Genus Lybia currently holds eight extant species; two former members were moved to Tunebia.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Pom Pom Crab. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Pom Pom Crab?
Feed your Pom Pom Crab small meaty foods like mysis shrimp or chopped fish and clam. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding depends on the species, so check with a good breeder or vet for a schedule that suits your crab.12 Furry Diary plan
What does a Pom Pom Crab eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, chopped fish, and clam, gathering them with its anemones. Avoid any foods not listed here, and always ask a vet or breeder for safe options.12
How much space does a Pom Pom Crab need?
No minimum tank size is given by the sources, but it needs a marine aquarium with rockwork and sand or gravel to hide. Ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for the right tank size.12
What temperature, light or water does the Pom Pom Crab need?
Keep the water at 72-78 °F, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12, and specific gravity 1.020-1.025. Furry Diary's plan includes weekly salinity checks, water tests, and biweekly 10-20% water changes.2 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Pom Pom Crab's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a 10-20% water change every 14 days, with weekly salinity and water tests. Top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water. Furry Diary plan
Can a Pom Pom Crab live with others?
Yes, it is best with peaceful tankmates that won't outcompete it at feeding time. The sources give no guidance on keeping several together, so ask a good breeder.2
How long does a Pom Pom Crab live?
The sources do not give a specific lifespan. Ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for typical longevity.
Can I handle a Pom Pom Crab?
It is shy and secretive, and handling may stress it. It's best to observe it at night when it is active, rather than handling it.123
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Lybia tessellata (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, pattern, behaviour, diet, taxonomy
- Pom Pom Crab, LiveAquaria liveaquaria.comused for care level, water parameters, diet, temperament, colour
- Lybia (crab) (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for anemone splitting, name origins, species count, research history
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.