Do hermit crabs reproduce in captivity?

[nicksgirl]

I had something odd happen yesterday. I noticed what appeard to be a blue legged crab stuck in the rocks. It appeared as if he had come through a small crevice from the other side and was struggling to extricate himself.

Long story short, I dropped an empty shell on top of him ans sure enough, he got inside and moved away on his own. When he was gone, I noticed another crab in the same situation nearby.

Now I'm wondering where these crabs came from. Are they newborn crabs?

~Becks

 

[melosu58]

No they are hermits looking for bigger shells. They outgrew their old shells

 

[Devilishturtles]

I agree. Probably just your old hermits looking for new homes.

 

[tecwzrd]

Also when they molt they come out of their shell to do it. If the same shell they came out of is large enough they just go back in the same one. It's still a good idea to have a couple of extra shells in the tank in case they out grow their original one.

I've never seen them reproduce in the tank.

 

[nicksgirl]

Ah.
Snails Beware!
Thanks!