Where are you my little red-legged hermits?

[24 hours? NE!]

On two separate occassions, I've bought reg-legged hermits and they've ended up MIA! The first one I saw burying himself and then never again. The second was roaming around, but haven't seen him in a few weeks. I'm looking to add a few more, but it will be a waste if they come up missing.

I don't think I've got anthing interested in polishing them off and I have seen anything lurking in my lr. I've got an emeral crab and a blue-legged. The blue-legged is much larger than the red-legged I've gotten (and came after the first one disappeared) to be concerned about his shell.

Any suggestions? Would it be ok to get a few more anyway?

 

[markh30]

It's funny you should mention this... I was at the lfs last night looking at the crabs. I asked the dealer if I could combine the hermits with emerald crabs. The gentleman stated that it's not wise being the crab will eat the hermits. I'm wondering how true this is.

 

[cmor1701d]

Hermits kill hermits! and snail. They always want a new house and don't care who is currently occupying it.

Best bet is to go clawless on the clean up crew. No crabs. Just snails, fighting or queen conch, stars, etc.

 

[24 hours? NE!]

My blue-legged is 5 or 6 times bigger than the red-legged I had. Will it really kill him off if he can't use his shell? The snail is more his size and hasn't bothered him.

 

[dansemacabre]

I think cmor1701d's just saying in general, shy away from crabs. And according to markh30's lfs guy, the emerald might be enticed into eating your red-leggeds. The blue might be too large for the emerald to dare it, so far. Either way, I'd simply go with snails. Different snails eat different things and in different places. You can get algae-eating snails that'll go on the sand and rock, other algae-eating snails for the glass/acrylic, and then detritus-eating snails and a shrimp to help deal with detritus. You don't absolutely need any sort of crab as an essential part of a cleanup crew (opinion, I'm sure) so why add something with claws that could be aggressive? So, I second the notion, stick with clawless cleaners. HTH!

 

[24 hours? NE!]

Thanks for the advice! I just think the crabs are cute. I will heed your advice for my 12 gallon nano.

Is there any particular snail that likes bubble algae in place of an emerald crab?

 

[dansemacabre]

Unfortunately not that I am aware of. You can keep the emerald around until the bubble is gone, and then I'm sure a lfs would be willing to take him off your hands. You might also research some snails and see if there is one that eats bubble algae, but I haven't heard of one. :|

 

[afilter]

Very odd, :? I have various blue and red hermits and 3 emerald crabs and have never noticed a problem. Hermits will go after snails if they tip over and cannot right themselves for the shell. I have lost a few snails along the way.

When I bought my first Hermits the LFS also gave me several extra shells of various sizes which I just placed in the tanks. Now I make it a habit to ask for extra shells when I buy hermits or snails.Do you have extra shells? Hermits do like to switch shells as they grow.

HTH,

 

[24 hours? NE!]

I've got a red-legged snail that needs polishing off. He's constantly falling on his shell and gets stuck. I've got some extra shells in the tank for the blue-legged.

I'm not getting any more red-legged (at least until my blue is gone).

My emerald is being lazy with the bubble algae, but I don't think I want to get a second. I've heard it's hit or miss whether any particular emerald will get rid of the algae. My bubble algae isn't a nuisance by any means, yet.

 

[William]

IMO Hermits like to change homes for the heck of it to.

I've got one little small hermit in my tank, and he's already switched shells 3 times since I set it up.


I think hes just looking for the shell that makes him prettiest

 

[WarOrks15]

i got like 27 hermit carbs in one day and i had one extra shell in the tank when i put them in. in less then 1 hour of them being in the tank that shell that was in the tank was already taken. a few days ago i saw some a hermit crab running around with out his shell. it looks vary odd to see him run around to try to find a new one. i think he did find one but i do not know for sure because i do not recall removing a dead one after that happened.

 

[jamal-188]

IMO emerald crabs will not harm hermits. I have 4 emeralds and have never seen or recall evidence of one kiling a hermit or a snail for that matter. The red/blue legged hermits did kill snails and take their shells so now I only 2 hermits left that are too cute to get rid of.

 

[Guest]

Red leg reef hermits tend not to harass snails. It's always a good idea to have spare shells for them just in case. I had 2 and my stone crabs ate them (they were seen carrying them around, only to find an empty shell near their burrow). I fixed that problem real quick.