Hermit Crabs

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by DrewGritz, Mar 15, 2009.

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  1. DrewGritz

    DrewGritz Flamingo Tongue

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    Ok, got some questions...

    Have a 55 gallon tank with about 30 pounds of live rock, and 45 pounds of live sand... I bought a coral banded shrimp, 5 red legged hermit crabs, and a lot of blue legged...

    The past couple days I have woken up to one empty shell per day.

    Is my shrimp eating my red legged hermit crabs at night? Or, is it natural for crabs to die off?

    I am just upset because I bought these guys 2 weeks ago and 2 are already dead...

    Thanks for any advice!
     
    DrewGritz, Mar 15, 2009
    DrewGritz, Mar 15, 2009
    #1

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  2. Bogie

    Bogie Snowflake Eel

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    Sometimes hermit crabs even kill and eat each other.
     
    Bogie, Mar 15, 2009
    Bogie, Mar 15, 2009
    #2
  3. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I have suspected my CBS of committing some rude deeds in my tank. Wish I never put it in there. Have you run through the parameter gambit?
     
    missionsix, Mar 15, 2009
    missionsix, Mar 15, 2009
    #3
  4. DrewGritz

    DrewGritz Flamingo Tongue

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    I have not...

    So is this something I should be worrying about? Or should I just expect that some will die off?
     
    DrewGritz, Mar 15, 2009
    DrewGritz, Mar 15, 2009
    #4
  5. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I wouldn't expect die off. It happens, yes. I would test the water to rule out anything that may be an ongoing problem.
     
    missionsix, Mar 15, 2009
    missionsix, Mar 15, 2009
    #5
  6. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    Do you have extra hermit crab shells in the tank?

    If you don't they will kill each other to get a new shell.
     
    stepho, Mar 15, 2009
    stepho, Mar 15, 2009
    #6
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  7. DrewGritz

    DrewGritz Flamingo Tongue

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    Ahhh, good call, thank you!
     
    DrewGritz, Mar 15, 2009
    DrewGritz, Mar 15, 2009
    #7
  8. mufassathelion

    mufassathelion Skunk Shrimp

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    if im right hermit crabs like emarlds will molt thier shells.. witch is a good sign of growth. i have watched my crabs fight over shells and end up "tradding" them..i thus went to dollar store got some shells there washed them good. dropped in my tank in various places.... this being a week ago... i have seen many empty old store bought shells empty laying around and more of the dollar store specials roaming around.. try throwin a few empty shells in and watch for molts... i thought i lost 2 crabs and well they still there ...and seem to be happy. Very interesting watching them trade shells though....mufassa
     
    mufassathelion, Mar 15, 2009
    mufassathelion, Mar 15, 2009
    #8