Common Hermit Crabs

[sandals]

I have a question regarding hermit crabs. I bought one probably a year ago. He has been great! He was somewhat of an overactive crab, always climbing on everything. Well over the past few weeks I noticed I am getting low on my algae growth which I think was a result from a water change. My crab has become quite inactive. I thought maybe he was starving to death, so I handed him a piece of chicken (that is all I had around) and he jumped on it like wildfire. It is apparent he is not getting the food he once had. So how often should you feed these guys? I don't want to overfeed him, or underfeed him. I appreciate all the responses!

 

[reefrunner69]

I would feed him a couple of times per week, also make sure he's got larger shells to move into has he grows

 

[sandals]

Reefrunner

Where can I get shells from? I ordered a box of them once from Ebay, and my hermit jumped in the biggest one I had....Not sure where I can purchase them in a larger size than what he is currently occupying. Thanks for your time!

 

[ClamKnuckle]

I see them on eBay from time to time, and I know LiveAquaria.com sells some too. I never got any so i don't know how big they come. They are from turbo snails on liveaquaria so they can get pretty big. If you don't see any at your lfs i would call or email liveaquaria and see what size they have since they have always been helpful to me.

 

[steve-s]

Try the local hobby/craft store as well. They will often sell a variety of shells. Just be sure they are unpolished/unvarnished and I would boil them before adding to the tank.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Shandoni]

I know on LiveAquaria you can list a special note on your orders, or if you talk to a sale rep, they can make that special note... as to how large or small you would like....