Hermit crabs.

[Joey17]

Has anyone here kept any hermit crabs at all? I saw some tiny ones at a petshop for $0.99. They were labled as zebra hermit crabs even though they were red. Are they hard to keep, What do they eat? How long do they live?

 

[Gatorfreak]

I can't speak about zebra hermits but most people here have hermits of some sort. All the ones I know about (which do not include zebra hermits) are very easy to keep and will scavenge for food. You don't have to feed them specifically. They live at least a year; that's how long I've had mine.

 

[Joey17]

What do you feed them?

 

[Gatorfreak]

I don't feed them anything. Between algae, left over fish food, and whatever else they eat, they get what they need.

 

[lando]

Reef hermits are a great addition to the tank's clean-up crew. They are hardy, and vitually maintanance free. They will eat detritus from the substrate and any LR. I am a fan of the scarlet reef hermits. I have three dozen in my 72gal reef and 6 in my nano reef.

 

[cmor1701d]

Here's one point where I differ from Lando. Anything with claws has been removed from the tank. The hermits that survived were relegated to the sump. Hermits will kill each other and snails for their shells and I prefer the job the variety snails I have do to having hermit crabs munch on them.

I tried having plenty of empty shells around but the blue leg and scarlet fought each other and snails over and over. Overfeeding the tank did not help.

I suspect Lando is spot feeding his hermits with valium

 

[lando]

I suspect Lando is spot feeding his hermits with valium

If I am spot feeding anyone with valium it will be me! 8)

 

[Joey17]

They have those hermit crabs labled as Zebra hermit crabs, but they are red. I guess they mislabel things alot.

 

[melosu58]

I have many in my tank and they do a good job in keeping tank clean

 

[Skuseman]

 

[i have crabs]

i dont think the more common hermits do any damage other than fighting eachother once in a while and mabey sitting on the ocational coral if you like wathin the little jerks dont be scared to buy some