The Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab, also known as the Hawaiian Reef Hermit Crab or Left-handed Hermit Crab, is a very small hermit crab, but like other hermit crabs, has an enlarged left claw. If a predator attacks, the Hermit Crab can back into its shell and use the large claw to block the entrance to its shell. Members of the genus Calcinus have long eye stalks. In the case of Calcinus laevimanus, the lower half of the eyestalk is blue, and the upper half, orange.

The Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab is a valuable addition to an aquarium because it eats many kinds of algae, including red slime algae (cyanobacteria), and sifts the sand, as well.

If there is insufficient algae in the aquarium, the diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed.

It can reach a maximum size of 1" in aquarium.