Shipping is $42.79. Fish orders over $599 and coral orders over $399 ship free. Fish and coral ship in separate boxes, and we confirm your delivery day with you before anything ships.
Pickup available at 46 Northwest 36th Street
Usually ready in 2 hours
Carefully Selected
Scheduled Delivery
Live Arrival Covered
Description
Pithos Crab
Care level
Beginner
Temperament
Peaceful
Reef safe
With caution
Typical for this species. Ask us if you're unsure.
Transform Your Tank with a True Cleanup Crew Workhorse
Looking for a hardworking reef inhabitant with real character? The Pithos Crab (Pithos laevigatus) is an underrated gem in the reef-keeping hobby — a robust, industrious species that earns its place in any serious saltwater aquarium. Its textured, compact carapace and deliberate, methodical movement make it far more visually engaging than the average cleanup crew addition, and its relative scarcity in the trade makes it a genuinely exciting find.
Typically reaching 1–2 inches across the carapace, the Pithos Crab is ideally sized for reef tanks of 30 gallons and up, comfortable navigating rockwork and sandy substrate alike. It's an active scavenger with a focused, purposeful personality — constantly patrolling for detritus, uneaten food, and algae. Rewarding to observe and genuinely useful, this is the kind of specimen that earns its keep every single day.
QUICK STATS & CARE GUIDE
Common Name: Pithos Crab
Current Size: Approximately 1–2 inches (carapace width)
Care Level: Easy — excellent choice for beginner to intermediate reef keepers
Temperament: Peaceful toward corals and passive tankmates, but may compete with other invertebrates
Diet: Omnivore — scavenges detritus, algae, uneaten meaty foods, and decaying matter; supplement with dried seaweed and meaty marine foods
Reef Safe: Yes, with caution — not known to bother healthy corals, but provide ample food to discourage opportunistic behavior
Every Pithos Crab we ship from The Coral Boutique is ethically sourced, fully quarantined, and conditioned in our facility until it's actively feeding and acclimated to aquarium life. We never ship a specimen we wouldn't keep ourselves — your new addition arrives healthy, hardy, and ready to get to work.
Fish Health
Our fish are selected with appearance, behavior, and feeding response in mind before being listed. We aim to offer healthy, alert specimens for established saltwater systems.
Compatibility
Please confirm this fish is compatible with your tank size, current livestock, temperament needs, and reef goals before ordering. If you are unsure, contact us before checkout and we’ll help you choose responsibly.
Shipping & Pickup
Livestock ships Monday through Wednesday. We confirm a delivery day with you before your order goes out, and we will hold it if the weather is bad or an animal needs more time in quarantine.
Fish orders over $599 qualify for free shipping. Coral orders over $399 qualify for free shipping. Free same-day Miami pickup is available at 46 NW 36th St and is usually ready in 1–2 hours.
Live Arrival Guarantee
Eligible livestock orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. Photograph the animal in its sealed bag before you open anything, then email that photo with your order number within two hours of delivery. Our team reviews every claim and gets you an answer within one business day. Failed delivery attempts, refused packages, or missed delivery windows may void coverage.
Acclimation
Acclimate fish carefully and introduce them into a stable, established saltwater aquarium. Match temperature and salinity slowly, keep lights low during introduction, and monitor behavior closely after release.
Photography
We photograph our fish in house to show their coloration and patterning as clearly as we can. Colors can look different under your own lights.
When a fish in our WYSIWYG collection has one in stock, the photo is the exact fish you receive. Other fish listings use a representative photo of the species and the quality you can expect. Every fish is carefully selected for health, coloration, and temperament before shipping.
SELECTED FOR ESTABLISHED SYSTEMS
Healthy Fish Start With Careful Selection.
Every fish is selected with color, behavior, and compatibility in mind. We focus on livestock that makes sense for real reef systems, not just impulse purchases.
If you have questions about temperament, tank size, or reef compatibility, contact us before ordering.
Watch before you order
How ordering and shipping work
Ship days, free shipping, the Live Arrival Guarantee and shipping protection in just over a minute.
Scheduled Shipping
Fish ship Monday through Wednesday only to avoid weekend delays.
Simple Claim Window
Sealed bag photo, emailed within 2 hours of delivery. Natural or white light.
Free Miami Pickup
Pick up locally from our NW 36th St showroom.
INTRODUCTION MATTERS
Give New Fish a Stable Start.
Successful fish introductions depend on stable water parameters, proper acclimation, compatible tankmates, and low-stress handling. Take your time, keep lights low, and observe behavior closely after release.
