yesterday i found one of my blue legged hemit crabs dead without a shell i dont know of anything in my tank that would harm it. (a blue damsel a turbo snail, 6 blue legs, one scarlet legged hermit, one brown w/white stripe legged hermit, and a banded coral shrimp.) do hermit crabs compete over shells even if there are plenty in the tank?
dead blue leg
- Thread starter morpheus
- Start date
bkv1997
Reef enthusiast
Crabs and shrimp molt inorder to grow.
Are you sure it just isn't an exoskeleton? Is there meat inside the shell?
Are you sure it just isn't an exoskeleton? Is there meat inside the shell?
bkv1997
Reef enthusiast
Yes it will still have the color.
If it looks empty inside then your ok, if it looks like there is meaty tissue inside, he probably died.
Brandon
If it looks empty inside then your ok, if it looks like there is meaty tissue inside, he probably died.
Brandon
sailfin
What reef tank?
The little guy probably molted. There molt will also look just like the crab just without all of the meat hangin out the back. Honestly if nothing has eaten what is still there by now, it more than likely was just a molt.
bkv1997
Reef enthusiast
Great news. Glad we could help.
Doc
I don't work for anybody
He will need to find a shell within a few days or he is toast. If you can, hit your LFS and see if you can find a few shells that are more his size. He is most likely hiding out in the rocks, looking for a new home. Good Luck.
-Dr Marco :sfish:
-Dr Marco :sfish:
reeffreak
Reef pro
Somebody dug up an old thread...
When a hermit molts doesn't necessary mean they need a new shell yet.If a hermit is ejected from his shell or can't find one big enough they may go after a snails shell,find a larger shell or die.
When a hermit molts doesn't necessary mean they need a new shell yet.If a hermit is ejected from his shell or can't find one big enough they may go after a snails shell,find a larger shell or die.
daugherty
part time reefer
I have seen some of my blue legged crabs fight each other for shells i have also seen them kill my snails for shells.
RigoSharon
LIVING REEFS INTERN
ive had that war at my tank too...what i do is i put in some empty shells of different sizes so they can change when grow...and i have notice less kills..but crabs are opportunistic eaters..and snails are a good source of food..so theyll munch on them somtimes, no matter if theres a good shell supply...daugherty said:
NewbReefer
Reefing newb
i thought i had lost my little hitchhiker crab but must have just been the molt, i saw him last night. I have already seen the war been snails and crabs for the shells, i have a crab crawling around in one my Astria snails shell (think thats what there called). time to buy some assorted size shells.
DavidA717
Soon to be Reef Expert
good luck, hope you find what you need
