Blue Leg Hermits. How Fast Do They Grow?

Got a hole reef CUC package from a place up here in chicago called midwest coral farms. Got some great stuff and a cheap price. But the question I have is they have me about 20 Blue Leg hermits they are very small and was wondering how fast they grow up? They are doing a great job taking out stuff on my sandbed. They eat everything in sight cant beat that. Just really wanted to know how fast they grow.

 

I think all of the species of hermits grow at different rates as I have some blue leggers that have stayed the same size for a long time (despite good water params and having plenty of larger shells to choose from) and I have seen another species of hermit that has cream and black-colored legs to it with one of its two claws bein 3X the size of the other we call him "Popeye" and he had quadrupled his size in only 4-5 months - we see him molt all of the time.

 

i think the blue legs stay pretty small. i have had mine for about a year and haven't seen a lot of growth.

 

I agree with the other posts..I have had Blue Legs for the most part and I have had ones for over 7 months and they look to be the same size..

 

These guys are about the half the size of a dime. tiny tiny so thats why i was wondering got about half of what I need so was thinking of getting a few more but wanted to make sure they did not grow really fast and get huge ya know. Looked all over to find something telling me how fast but nothing as of yet.. Thanks

 

Growth will be variable secondary to available food, tank temp.........

I believe the hermit type you are referring to stays somewhat small. I have had mine for 3 years and he is still about the size of a dime.

With your tank size I would not be worried adding more.

 

When you say the hermit is half the size of a dime are you including the shell? If your not including the shell that isn't very tiny at all. I have a few that are the size of a pencil eraser (not including shell).

 

M-ocean, Popeye sounds like a dwarf zebra (aka left-handed) hermit. I had several of those from Hawaii in a previous tank. Loved 'em!

 

I have two types of blue leg hermits. One type stays small and the other one (I only have one of these) grows very fast and large and has much more glowing blue color to it. It also has orange antena. It's quadrupled in size since I've had it. This is in a tank thats been running since August.
Below is the dumbed down version with pics. Notice the coloration is different.

I have lots of these and they seem to grow slow.


I have one of these and he grows fast and large.

 

That larger one is quite the looker..