HCA: Hermit Crab Association

This is the eighth species of Land Hermit Crab in Indonesia. At first glance, the grey specimens look like Ruggies or Ecuadorians. Different from ruggies, these Indonesian C.purpureus do not have visible or striking "stich mark" or ridge on the BP. The legs are also bigger/fatter than those of ruggies. They have weak yellow "ring" surrounding the eyes.

However, also different from Okinawan blueberries, the blue or purple tones are oftenly weaker ( perhaps due to different diet ) and many of them are in burgundy or brownish color.








My supplier ( a hermit crab exporter ) told me that he will soon make this species available in the U.S.market ( he will trade them with PPs ).

Do they require different care than ruggies or Es?

THey are beautiful. How would we know when and what distributers will have them available. Is other words, how can we get them?? I bet their is more than one person in this forum who would love to get a few of those.

Featherscrabs wrote:Do they require different care than ruggies or Es?

No ... just like ruggies.

Crabbymomma, I have no idea if any U.S. dealer(s) will place an order to him. Anyway, I think it won't be long after Christmas.

I thought they were practically endanged and it was illegal to sell them.

Mokulele_Hawai'i wrote:This is the eighth species of Land Hermit Crab in Indonesia. At first glance, the grey specimens look like Ruggies or Ecuadorians. Different from ruggies, these Indonesian C.purpureus do not have visible or striking "stich mark" or ridge on the BP. The legs are also bigger/fatter than those of ruggies. They have weak yellow "ring" surrounding the eyes.

8? I didn't realise you had quite so many native.

Mokulele_Hawai'i wrote:My supplier ( a hermit crab exporter ) told me that he will soon make this species available in the U.S.market ( he will trade them with PPs ).

Woo. And I have a tank all ready for 'm.

well if they do get off the endangered list then you know I have to get some- been eyeing up these beauties for awhile

I'd like some too, but of course I will not buy them if they are close to endangered. I hope Mokulele_Hawai'i pops back in and tells us, otherwise I will go crazy researching it.

What beauties!!! I hope they are not endangered though. That would be very sad....

Herm-EZ wrote:well if they do get off the endangered list then you know I have to get some- been eyeing up these beauties for awhile

Herm-Ez... it just has to be asked... Might you already have one similiar to this with you Royale Purple Rug??? I can't really tell but wouldn't that be cool if it got slipped in and you are the first to have one??

I'm sure you thought of that and all though and checked into it.

Wow, they are beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing.

They look just like Es!

I hope I find some.

I want one in every color!

And an extra one in burgundy

Wow C, Purpureus coming to the U.S that is cause for excitement.

I will have to keep my eye out for those beauties . Thanks for sharing those pictures Molukule_Hawai'i and sharing that valuable information .

8? I didn't realise you had quite so many native.

Yes ... we can get:
Birgus latro (Coconut crab)
Coenobita brevimanus, C.cavipes, C.perlatus, C.purpureus, C.spinosus, C.rugosus, C.violascens
in Indonesia ( although ruggies, indos, and komurasakis/violets are predominant than the other species ).

Do you own a coconut crab, Mokulele?