Disappearing Hermits

[mrpope]

I looked in my tank and I noticed some of my hermits (dwarf red tip, etc) have been mutilated. They are left shell-less (shell gone) and torn to pieces. My livestock thus far is: Ocellaris Clown, Fire gobie, bi-color angel, lawnmower blennie, brittle star, arrow crab, various snails, and the forementioned hermits.

Does this sound like a war of the hermits for shells? I dont think any of the species I have would eat, much less mutilate, my hermits. The only one I kind of suspect is the arrow crab, because he has the equipment to do it.

-Brian

 

[Gauge]

Of the livestock you listed, I would suspect the arrow crab and the other hermits. You might want to go to the store and grab some shells and throw them in your tank.

 

[cal91666]

Keep on the look out for a mantis shrimp!

 

[mrpope]

Would a mantis shrimp just rip them apart and take the shells? The hermits are not being consumed, just torn in half and "robbed." I think its a hermit war.

Oh, are there any other signs of having a mantis shrimp, besides the clicking and disappearing livestock?

 

[cal91666]

Oh, are there any other signs of having a mantis shrimp, besides the clicking and disappearing livestock?

Look for small holes or broken pieces in the shells.

 

[Biggen]

I want to suggest to you the possibility that the crabs may be molting and are simply hiding, or have taken to another shell. Every once in a while, I will see what appears to be a crab carcass floating around the bottom of my SB. In fact, it is simply the exoskeleton of a crab that just molted.

 

[Gauge]

I was going to say that, but I figured that the empty shells were a reason to disregard that possibility. I may be in the minority, but I only have the shells that my hermits came in, so for me an empty shell is a dead hermit. What about you, mrpope?

 

[mrpope]

Good point Biggen, I never even thought of that. They could just be molting.
Oh, Gauge, I too only have the shells the hermits came in. They have stolen snail shells in the past, and if I was a hermit I would rather take one of those margarita snail shell rather than taking basically the same shell from another hermit.

 

[packfan2204]

just as a side note, i've heard that if u have a green brittle star and he gets to be of pretty good size, they will also prey on small inverts, just for future reference

 

[arsoncop4fish]

I have noticed the same thing in my tank, mutilated hermits lying on the bottom with out a shell.... and I have noticed small holes in the shells of my surviving hermits, could this be a mantis? I have not heard any clicking or anything, nor have I seen any other evidece of mantis. Could the small holes in the shells just from the crabs living in the shell and the shell deteriorating?