C. tricolor has blue legs with red banding between each segment, and reaches to 2 centimeters (0.79 in) in size.

[3] C. tricolor is a detritivore, eating dead plants and animals that would otherwise clog the reef.

[5] During the day the crabs move slowly or rest, feeding usually begins in dusk and continuous until through the night.

[3] C. tricolor is a popular aquarium hermit crab because of its coloration and because its feeding habits lead it to clean tanks.

[4] When it ejects from its shell and is not able to find a new one or the one it was just in it has been observed it then hides its soft body parts next to a sea anemone's foot for temporary protection.