Re: hermit crab question   8/1/06
Thanks for your patience.  I believe that they are red striped hermit crabs.
<Clibanarius vittatus?>
The smaller ones have been riding on the backs of the larger ones and basically staying out of the water.  Does that mean they need some dry land in their aquarium?
<Yes>
If their tank has both areas in it, does it still need a pump of some kind?
<Yes... and a filter>
What about a heater or will a light be enough?  
<Might be>
What kind of testing supplies am I going to need?  What should the ratio of live rock to sand be?  Thanks for your help.  I have tried stores in my area but not found much help so far.
Thanks again
Callie
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Hermits gen.   7/17/06
Hey,
I have a 5 gallon tank and I wanted to put in some blue-legged hermit crabs but I don’t know how many I can have in it.
And if they are compatible with red-legged hermit crabs that I also want to put in.
I don’t have any fish in the tank and just wanted some crabs to look after and if that’s ok or if they need fish in there for some reason or another.
Do they eat the same thing? If so what? Also, how can you tell if a hermit crab is a female or male? Thanks
Chelsea
<<Chelsea:  I don't know if you can tell males from females without them being out of the shell.  I once watched a blue leg trying out shells in front of me.  When it came out of the shell, it had black eggs all over its back.  Even though the crab had eggs, no babies ever survived.  You can mix red and blue legs together.  Some people have a rule of thumb of no more than 1 hermit per gallon.  You could have less if you like.  For example, I have 3 hermits in a 180 gallon tank.  Without fish, you'll enjoy watching the hermits.  Best of luck, Roy>>

I now have (Hermit) crabs!! Happens...   6/13/06
Hello WWM,
I live in South Florida and my son went to Jensen Beach, Fl this weekend with my sister and they found a lot of crabs.  So, she decided to let all the
kids take two home without knowing what kind they are and how to care for them.  I am pretty sure they are Clibanarius vittatus, but I can't find much
on care.  What do they eat, do they need salt water, do they live on land also?
<Not entirely... though this is a tough species that does spend a good deal of time emersed>
I know nothing!!  Please help.  I would much rather take them back to the beach where they belong but it is about 2 and 1/2 hrs. away.  I live in
a very small town in the middle of nowhere with a pet store that is very limited on information.  I have been on the computer for 3 hrs. now and most
of what I find is about these crabs in the wild not how to care for them at home.  I don't want them to die but I don't know what to do.  Can you help me?
Thank you,
Nancy
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
and the linked files above. Perhaps as an object lesson you'll want to have them returned to the shore. Bob Fenner>

Hermit Crab observations  - 06/07/06
Hi Crew,
<Johnny... sunny? London>
I have a 240litre SW tank with 70lb of live rock and 60lb of live sand. It has been set up for about 5 months now. The only inhabitants are 6 Red Legged Hermit Crabs that we introduced at the weekend (Plus the 100 & 1 critters that zoom and crawl about).
My girlfriend reckons that all the Hermits are left handed (clawed?) !!!
<Happens...>
I think she might be right!! anyone else notice this?
Johnny ... Sunny London.
<Some species are a mix of "handedness", others only one-sided. Bob Fenner>

Gulf Coast <Anomuran> crab?  - 05/29/06
Hello!
   <Hi there>
  We have recently come home from the beach, in the Gulf Coast, with a couple of "hermit-looking crabs".  We are not sure if these are the type that you would buy at the pet store, hermit "land" crabs, or do they need deep water?
<Could be either...>
  We caught them in a net in the tide waters... Is the care the same as a hermit land crab?
<Not likely, no>
We have been searching all over the Web and have had no luck in identification, or care of these cute little creatures.
<See the works of Paul Humann, Ned DeLoach... Amazon.com...>
It just seems odd that they were caught in deep water and now we are going to take that away from them..??  help!   Please?   
  Thank you for your time..
   The Jones' family
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
and the linked files above... Bob Fenner>

Hermit Crabs ... gen. info.   1/21/06
Hi there. <Hello Mark>
Well for some time now I've been keeping hermits in my reef tank, I used to have one, and a couple of weeks ago I expanded the hermit crew into 5
additional, same species. They are all very peaceful grazing in the sand and on algae, as well as climbing on my snails picking loose junk from their shells.
I've managed to identify the hermits as "Striped Hermits" while they are quite peaceful I really know nothing about them. I was
hoping perhaps you might be able to fill me in about them, complete feeding habits, moods, general behavior, maximum size, etc etc.
<This info is easily found on the Wet Web.  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm  Do search before sending queries and in future queries, please cap all "I's" and the beginning of sentences.  It really saves us time in editing queries before posting.  James (Salty Dog)>
Regards,  Mark

Marine Hermit Crab Die Off and Stocking Density (Give, Your Crabs a Shell)  11/28/05
Hello Crew,
<Hello Tom.>
I really appreciate all the help you've given me over the last couple years...thanks!
<Glad you have found us useful!>
Today I'm hoping to get an informed opinion about what might be happening to my hermit crabs.
<Okay.>
My tank is a 30 gallon with a two-inch Fire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius), a Yellow Clown Goby, and a Firefish. It also has a small crab (size of a dime) and
probably a very small brittle star (all I ever see is his arms sticking out of a hole in the rock a quarter inch or so). These latter two hitchhiked in on the live rock.
<Good stocking choice so far, but watch out for the hitchhiker crab or at least try to i.d. it, could turn out to be something large/predatory in the future.>
The tank has a larger grouping of rock on the left, and a smaller grouping on the right, with a few inches separation in the middle. The Fire Shrimp lives in the left rock grouping, basically all alone. Everything else lives in or on the right rock grouping. I only mention this because it seems so odd that it might be a clue.
About two months ago, I ordered a dozen Dwarf Red Tip (Clibanarius sp.) and a dozen Zebra (Calcinus laevimanus) hermit crabs to control algae. I received generous counts, and actually started with about 30 hermits. As of today, I can count only 11 hermits. There may be a few I can't see, but 19?
<Honestly Tom I think the reason for this hermit die off is the original stocking density. These animals simply aren’t built to live a crowded arrangement like this but they are plagued by retailers recommendations of 1 per gallon, which is quite irresponsible (not you them). Anyway there are probably a few contributing factors including fighting over shells and insufficient food. Unless you were target feeding the hermits its unlikely they were able to survive simply as detritivores or scavengers. A more appropriate stocking level is 10 or less.>
I also believe a hitchhiker snail has disappeared.
<Possibly killed for its shell.>
So, what do you think is happening to the hermit crabs?
<See above.>
Tom
<Adam J.>

Mystery Hermit Crab Help - 10/20/2005
Hello.  Your website has the most in-depth info anywhere on the web!  
<Hefty accusation there, Mary!  I'm glad you find the site useful.  Sabrina with you today.>
You are all to be congratulated on your time, effort and expertise!  
<Thank you very, very much for these kind words....>
I'll try to watch my language.
<Ahh, good.>
That said....  I, like others, ended up bringing home a couple of hermit crabs by mistake from Dauphin Island.
<Uhh, yikes.  Please, please folks - if you pick up trinkets at the beach, make sure the animals that used them are done with them!>
They had survived more than 2 weeks in a tied plastic bag with other empty shells; traveling from southern Alabama up to and through the Smoky Mountains (all of those elevation and temperature changes, whew!) and finally to northern Kentucky.  So I figured the very least that I owed them was my very best efforts to help them live.  I knew absolutely nothing about them and had trouble at first figuring out that they are NOT the hermit crabs that you can readily find info for on the web and that so many kids keep as pets.  I haven't been able to exactly identify them, but here is a link to a picture of them:  http://www.touchthesea.org/hermitcrablv2.jpg
<This is an aquatic or semi-aquatic animal, to be sure.  Not just a land hermit, as you correctly guessed.>
I set up a mini (10 gal) salt water aquarium with:  Aragonite Reef Sand, other shells that I brought home (some of which may be suitable future homes for them), salt water made with dechlorinated tap water and Instant Ocean Sea Salt, mixed appropriately, and a thermometer.
<Heater?  Filtration?  Testing supplies?  Food?>
Yesterday, I thought they were goners.  After setting this 'system' up and putting them in, I gave them some food choices that I had tried previously like commercial pellets, leaf lettuce, "Sea Weed Salad, Green Marine Algae" and covered the whole sha-bang with a towel and left them undisturbed overnight.
<I would try offering small bits of thawed frozen raw human-consumption shrimp....  and remove in a few tens of minutes if left untouched.>
(In Kentucky, I think 'sha-bang'  is a noun, LOL)  
<Can double as a verb in Kansas, spelled 'shebang'.>
And, alas, they seem to be very happy crabs this morning !!
SO, I will go ahead and install a water pump and filtering system, the information for which I can get from your FAQs.  
<Great.>
But, FINALLY, here is my question.... I have yet to see them attempt to eat anything that I have offered and I am stumped.  
<These opportunistic dudes prefer meatier fare....  Try shrimp, krill, even bits of human-consumption fish.>
Today, they seem to be filtering the water through their mouths and maybe eating the algae that came in the sand??.  
<They'll pick through it some, sure.>
But that won't last very long, will it?  
<No.>
What else can I offer them to eat?  
<As above.>
Do they maybe just need more time to acclimate to their surrounding?
<Perhaps.>
Minerals?
<Regular water changes with saltwater of the correct salinity using a quality salt mix will help with this.  You may wish to start testing, maintaining calcium and alkalinity.>
If this is successful, I think I just might invest in a new hobby.  I currently am husband to a 40 gal FW aquarium that has been very successful over the years.   
<Must've been tough to get THAT marriage license!>
A Marine tank would be too cool !  I had always been intimidated by the science of one, but no longer, thanks to all of the efforts y'all put into this web site.
<Glad we could be of service.>
('y'all' is definitely a noun in KY !)  
<That's one I could never get the hang of.>
I look forward to some suggestions on food, minerals, etc.  Keep up the great work, so many of us appreciate it.
<And again, thank you very much for these kind words.  It means a great deal to see comments like these.>
Mary Robben
<Wishing you well,  -Sabrina>

Hermit Crabs  10/2/05
Hi,
<Hi, Rich.>
I have a couple of Dardanus megistos in my fish only system. This morning I  
noticed that one of them must have had a confrontation last night and had lost
it's large claw (not to be confused with the normal shedding of it's  
shell). Will it grow back?
<Yes it will grow back; crustaceans have amazing regenerative abilities. It will take a few consecutive and successful molts but I would not expect any long-term harm from this.>
Thanks, Rich
<No problem, Adam J.>

Hermit Crabs In A Reef...Are Any Of Them Safe? - 05/22/05
Hello,
<Hey!>
I have recently begun reading your site, and was somewhat shocked to read that you do not recommend keeping ANY crabs in a reef system, since almost every dealer or website or individual reef keeper I know of states that they are reef safe and are the best option for cleanup crews.
<This is not everyone's view here, but yes, a few of us (myself included) choose not to recommend/include hermit crabs in our systems.>
Some places recommend somewhere in the vicinity of 1 per gallon.
<Yeah...places that SELL them.>
I have used them in the past (my reef tank is down at the moment) with a few corals and not noticed any problems, but then I wasn't looking for them. Do you truly recommend forgoing crabs completely as cleaners, or are there a few limited species that work well?
<It's a matter of preference. I choose not to employ hermit crabs for the reason they are voracious opportunistic omnivores that have a tendency to "snack" on other desirable organisms.>
What instead should be utilized for cleanup in the complete absence of crabs? (The system I am preparing to set up is 135 gal BTW)
<Proper setup/maintenance practices, an effective skimmer, frequent partial water changes, judicious feeding practices, etc.>
Specifically, I have a great deal of affection for the staghorn hermits. Are these any better/worse than your average dwarf hermit in a reef?
<Probably no better or worse, though they are reported to be more secretive and delicate (more sensitive to water conditions).>
Thanks, Frank
<Regards, Eric R.>
 

Mother of a new (Hermit) crab lover My son and I were perusing your web site and found the following picture:

<Ah, yes> He came home today with from his Scout campout on Galveston Island with a crab that looks just like him and is the size of a medium chicken egg. We're wondering what kind of crab it is.  <Is posted on WWM if it's the same> Last weekend we went to the pet store to set up a small marine aquarium for a button-size blue legged crab, that he brought home from the same general area, and he's been doing very well. But this new crab is huge by comparison and I'm afraid to have them together in the same tank.  <Maybe take a look though Humann and Deloach's works on marine life ID in the area...> We live an hour and a half from the Gulf so it's not possible to take him back for at least another week. We've read about the aggressiveness of blue legged, the possibility of larger crabs eating smaller ones, the vulnerability of molting, etc. <Yes> I'd just gotten past the point of worrying that the first one wouldn't survive beyond a day or so and kind of like having him and I'd even gotten used to the idea that I would survive if he did die since it didn't seem that we imposed an immediate death sentence by taking him out of his habitat. But now the picture has just gotten much more complicated and I'm looking for the safest way to incorporate this big fellow, even if it is just for a week until we can return him to the Gulf. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks, Mother of a New Crab Lover <Suggestions? To keep reading... if you're going to return the animal, just keep it in near seawater conditions, w/o feeding for the week. Otherwise, much written on their care, keeping on our site (WWM) and elsewhere. Bob Fenner>

Hiding Hermits - Hello Again Devin
Hello everyone,
I have a question regarding hermit crabs today. I purchased 4 red leg hermit crabs 4 days ago, and they have been having quite a feast with my algae on my LR. Today, however, I noticed only 2, and after looking around I found the missing ones. They were tucked under a large piece of rock right next to each other, not moving. They have been in the
same position for almost a day now and I am wondering if they are okay. could it be that they are mating? If you have any advice or info, it would be most appreciated. Thank you. 
Devin O'Dea
PS. (my tank is 29 gal)
<Devin, please read over our materials archived on Hermits, here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marind5_5.htm.  Scroll down to... Hermits... Your animals may be hiding, may have molted, may be dead... from? Incompatible water quality, a hidden predator... Bob Fenner>

Scarlet Hermit Crabs
Hi CREW,
<Hello Debi> 
I understand Scarlet Hermits need to go looking for a new shell as they grow.
<Correct> 
So how many empty shells should I provide and where is it best to place them to assure happy hunting? Is it ok to get shells from a shell shop as long as I boil the empties before putting them in the tank? 
<Four or five empty shells should be enough. Choose various sizes that are slightly larger than the home he is in. I believe shells from a shell shop would be OK. You want to pick shells that are similar in shape to the one he is in now. I would not use any if they were sprayed with a clear coat or anything like that. James (Salty Dog)>

Jumping' In With All Ten Feet:  From Land Hermits To Marine - 01/17/2005
Howdy!
<Ahoy, thar!>
I've just spent two hours reading your site and can't find an answer to my question, so I guess I'm an oddball (well, I know I'm an oddball, apparently I'm a unique oddball!)
<Ahh, we're ALL unique oddballs.  No worries.>
I keep quite a few land hermit crabs as pets-last count was 43 in five species-
<Err, and I thought *I* had a few too many, with 14 of 4 species.... <grin> >
and I spotted some tiny blue legs yesterday.  I'd love to get a couple, but I can't seem to find much in the way of info on keeping just crabs.
<Lots of folks do so, in "nano" reef aquaria that are simply too small to comfortably house fish.  Mostly, though, the knowledge required is the same as for any marine system.  I know I've tried to post some info on a couple of hermit forums, but it has been largely disregarded....  Sigh.>
Are they only kept as cleaners, or are they ever kept by themselves?
<Either way.  To be honest, bluelegs aren't the friendliest cleaner.  Lots of folks like them.  I prefer the scarlet reef hermits - much less vicious, IMO/IME.>
If I can keep them alone, how much tank space would I need for two blue legs, say, 1/8" (yes, I'm fully aware that they will grow and I will need to upgrade later)
<Oi.  I wouldn't dare do just two, or you'll end up eventually with just one.  With your experience in land hermits, I'm sure you're familiar with "shell fights" - bluelegs take these to the next level....  Gladiators fighting to the death were never so aggressive as these critters can be.  Again, just my experience, but they tend to tear each other apart if they don't have MORE than enough shells and lots of distractions.>
I'm trying to get an idea of what would be required before I take any home! Thank you SO much for your time and your willingness to help raw newbies!
<Ahh, some very basics....  To be honest, I would strongly urge you to aim for a tank of 20 gallons or more.  A smaller tank will be MUCH harder to keep stable....  really, I can't tell you how much easier a 20 is than a 10.  Please, please, take that into consideration.  Now, if all you want are hermits, this is going to be pretty easy.  I would urge you to use "live rock" in the tank - most often, we recommend 1-2 pounds of rock per gallon, but you can skimp on this and add a few pounds at a time (just make sure it is "cured" before adding, read through the articles and FAQs on live rock for more info).  You'll need a quality marine salt.  "Doc Wellfish" or other salts marketed for freshwater aquaria simply won't cut it.  A hygrometer is of great importance - keep the water at a specific gravity at 1.024-ish.  I would like to recommend that you invest in a decent skimmer, but with the cost of such an item, I just don't think it would be worth it for your applications.  For substrate, you would probably do best to have less than one inch of sand, preferably aragonite.  Crushed coral will do, but sand, IMO, is a much better substrate.  Also, the bluelegs will not dig into the substrate to molt like the land hermits do.  Nor will other small, semi-peaceful hermits.... or any marine hermits that I know of.  There is really a LOT of information to soak up before you take on this endeavor - but you are most definitely capable - I would urge you to read the following article:  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nemoproart.htm  - this article is geared to would-be "Nemo" keepers, but nearly all of it applies to your project, as well.  I especially like the list of equipment needed, but would like to stress NOT to use an incandescent light fixture, which can overheat such a small tank.  Also, I would urge you to visit our forum at http://www.wetwebfotos.com/talk and ask questions and gather information there, as well.  You will find me there as "vintage_fish".>
Also, just a couple comments about your land crab pages: You have almost everything down pat, especially with sending people on to hermit-crabs. COM or landhermitcrabs.com. However, land crabs tend to do best in groups, and they need their water dechlorinated; also, they are very sensitive to metals and need high humidity, so wire cages don't work very well.
<Agreed wholeheartedly on all of the above.  Please understand that much of that area of our site is rather outdated.  Perhaps someone will get around to placing an up-to-date article there, some time soon....>
Again, thank you so much for your time and attention!
<And thank you for your interest in what is most certainly a very extensive and exciting hobby!  Please do read that article, to kinda get a feel for what you need to know and do, and make use of our forums - and if you have any further questions, PLEASE feel free to write in again!  We're here for this very reason.
Sarah
<Wishing you and your future bluelegs well,  -Sabrina>

Hermits fading
Dear WWM Crew,
Thank you for the great site! I have browsed through
your website but did not find the answer to my
problem. I have 10 blue legged and 2 scarlet hermit
crabs in 55 gallon tank. I have recently noticed that
my scarlet became more of an orange color and at least
one blue legged has faded in color too. Can you
suggest any reasons for that so that I could address
it before they get worse. Thank you! Artem
<Likely nutritional, though water chemistry/quality can definitely play a/the role here. Color change per se is not an indication of good or ill-health though... You might check your water, augment, actually directly feed your Hermits some vitamin/supplement (e.g. Zoe, Selcon) soaked foods. Bob Fenner>

Turbo Snail Shells
I had a turbo snail die today and I want to keep the shell in my tank.  The
reason for this is two-fold.  One is for tank decoration, I think their
shells look really cool. Second, for the hermit crabs to move into when they
grow.  How do get the snail shell ready to add back into my tank?...wash the dead
organism out of the shell and place the shell back into the aquarium...IanB>

Staghorn hermit crab shell
Hello,
My Staghorn hermit crab just keeled over after having
it for several months. (I'm pretty sure it was because
I stirred up the sand, releasing trapped ammonia).
While I am sad and upset at it's death, I was
wondering if I could keep its shell. Would it continue
to grow? Will it attach itself to whatever rock I
place it on? Will it need anything special that the
crab was providing for it? Thanks!
>>The coral should do just fine. Put it in a place where it gets good circulation. There are reports of them doing fine after the crabs death or the crab moves out, but there are also reports of them not doing well. Let us know what happens>>
Rebecca
>>Rich>>

Hermit crab advice for classroom care 9/7/04
Dear Mr. Fenner,
<Anthony Calfo in his stead>
As new hermit crab parents, we were very impressed with your website and we learned a lot about how to care for our hermit crabs (Dion, Duncan, Lucy, and Henry).  We are also new teachers and our hermit crabs will be our class pets. They will be living in our classrooms. We read that they must be sprayed daily with water,
<yes... very important for their good health... even breathing>
but we were wondering what we should do on Saturday and Sunday when we are not in our classrooms.
<hmm... they will survive. But do spray them well weekdays without fail... particularly Friday and Monday of course>
Also, should they be fed daily as well, or is it okay
to leave extra food on weekends?
<less is better in some cases... avoid feeding heavily. A few times weekly is fine: Monday Weds and Friday>
Is it possible for them to survive without our care over the weekend?
<yep... no worries>
Please respond ASAP as school is starting on Thursday. Thanks for all your help! Sincerely,
Candice and Sarah (
<with kind regards, Anthony>

Taking hermits from the ocean - 8/23/04
I brought home a few wild hermit crabs from Monterey Bay, Ca <I work at the Monterey Bay Aquarium> of the tide pool variety. <Know these well> Only after some research did I find out that they are different from land types and require far more special care. <Oh yeah!!! I would suggest always doing your research before taking on any animal (even those purchased from a store)> PLEASE help, I'm desperate to keep them alive. <Not likely possible in the long term. They require a cooler temperature. They require lots of varied foods. Typically, being that they are found in tide pools, they can handle extreme variations throughout the day. But let me add that they also become stabilized with the changing tide. So they do not typically spend the entire lifespan in the tide pool. They can venture back into shallow areas or different tide pools to find better suitable foods and habitat. Your environment just won't be conducive to their ability to move to a different environment when they want. So it is highly recommended that you release back to a tide pool near if you can. Sorry for the bad news, but I just can't think of anyway to keep these alive in a home aquarium without ambient bay temps (56-68 degrees) proper Monterey Bay alga to start> We are willing to furnish them with aquarium and whatever else is needed. How about a 200 dollar to a 10000 dollar chiller just to start?> Shells are at most 3/4 inch wide, and they have very dark blue or very dark brown appendages with red antennae. We'd like help dealing with specifically this type of hermit crab, as in how many crab tank volume. As for right now, what should I do immediately? Water is low, so how should I prepare more (salinity, chemical, temperature, aeration etc.)? <Start with our website under the Marine Aquarium heading. There are lots that applies here. Honestly Oliver, I would let these guys go, then start a tank with your newfound knowledge from this site and the many other sites and books out there, then, either try again, or maybe try some tropical hermit crabs that are kept at warmer temperature. (much easier and cheaper in my opinion, and in some cases even more interesting and colorful) On the short term, how can I keep them alive? <Just too big of a topic to cover. You can read through our site on setting up a salt water aquarium. Start here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/index.htm and here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
choose all the topics that apply to you. They look fine and healthy for now, but I doubt they'd stay that way for long. <Agreed. I feel the best way to handle this situation is to leave the marine life in the tide pools for others to see. Buy only corals and fish responsibly caught, and better yet, farmed varieties. Sorry not be of more help but this is a big topic to cover. Thanks for the question. ~Paul>
Thanks,
Oliver

New Hermit Crab Owners
Hi,
<Hi, Mike D here>
I just got my daughter two hermit crabs (what kind I do not know).  This was three days ago.<One major question...are we talking land hermit crabs or marine hermits that live in seawater?>  Since then she's moved them into a tank with all their supplies.  Today the larger one (about 2-2/12") lost a leg!!<Fairly common. You might want to keep check that they aren't fighting, as they can get rather aggressive with each other>  I saw some references to "molting", and it seems they naturally go through this shedding, but does it mean whole legs?<Not just whole legs, but the whole animal. The back pops open right behind the legs and the whole animal crawls out, leg, claws, antenna and all and will need a larger shell to move into>  This bigger one hangs out of its shell because it needs to move to a new one, and we've placed a couple larger ones in the tank already.  What happened?<Probably just a family spat, but as I said, just keep an eye peeled that they aren't extremely hostile towards each other, which occasionally happens. Fighting over new shells is often the biggest reason for such spats>

Hermit crab and other invert info 8/1/04
More info than a question in case anyone's interested. I have a hermit crab that like eating my closed brain coral, b*st*rd it is slowly disappearing so hermits are a problem in reefs.  <I am fairly sure that you will find that most of the crew that replies to marine and reef queries are not fans of crabs of any kind.  I generally advise against keeping any.  They are far too destructive for their benefit.>
Also I had quite a numerous Aiptasia problem on live rock got a few with Kalkwasser but only the bigger ones now there is not one to be seen. There were less every day until now there are none yay! Must have been eaten by something,  <I would love to know what!  Peppermint shrimp are known predators as are Berghia nudibranchs (not what you describe below).  Other, less specialized predators (some starfish, some predatory snails other shrimps, etc.) are probably very risky to also eat corals.>
in my tank I have damsels (lemon, sergeant major, blue/yellow and 2xblack with eye spot on tail) small wrasse similar to Christmas wrasse, two purple/orange/black nudibranchs, small brownish mottled starfish, cowry, pistol shrimp, four or so hermit crabs I think that's it. So one of them eats Aiptasia! Hope you find this of use.  <Out of the bunch, I would only suspect the starfish or cowry.  The nudibranchs are a very very tiny possibility, but most of them are very specialized feeders (sometimes down to the exact species of coral, sponge, etc. that they prey on!)  Thanks for sharing, and please update us if you hone in on your mystery helper!  AdamC>

Vacation Crab Bonanza
Hi,<Hi, MikeD here> I have a purple pincher hermit crab and my niece found some hermit crabs on
the beach she wants me to have. I had mentioned to her that I wanted another
one to keep my purple claw company. The thing is that she found these in the
salt water. I don't want to break her heart, but I have no idea how to take care
of these. I don't know anything about them. Do I keep them in the water all
the time and if they are ok not to keep in the water then, are they ok to put
in the same tank as my purple claw one<Unfortunately, no, these are marine vs. the apparently land species that you have>. I am still learning how to take care of
the one I got. I need to know all the basics of taking care of the salt water
ones<"all of the basics" is probably a lot more than you're prepared to deal with at the moment.>. There is like 30 of them that she's giving me<Yep, that's more than you're prepared to deal with!>. How do I take care of
these...are they any different then the one I have?<In appearance, no, in requirements they might as well be Martian crabs> If I have to keep them in
water the whole time, then are they ok with fresh water<NO!> or should I get the same
water salt to put in the water? Do they need the calcium powder and how cold
should the water be? Any information on the ones from the beach water is
helpful.<My honest suggestion is to call your local pet shops that handle marine fish and see if they'll help you out. Although crabs are less demanding than fish, you'd still need an established marine aquarium that's been up and running for at least 6 weeks, and frankly, you just don't have the time, no matter how willing. The type crabs your niece has brought back are actually much sought after by intelligent salt water shop owners as they are likely larger than the type they can often purchase through normal channels.>>

Hermit Crab Hitchhiker?
Okay, I just bought another Hermit Crab and I went to observe it and I noticed a little flash of something on its back. Here's where it gets difficult it looks like a volcano with a feather duster coming out but the duster part pops out, and goes back in. This happens in a split second can feather dusters be on a crab's back? or is it some kind of barnacle? Your help please,
Jeffery
P.S. may it be some kind of barnacle
<Well, Jeffrey- it certainly may be some sort of barnacle or other encrusted creature. These do occur on many types of animal's shells. Probably nothing to worry about; just another example of the amazing diversity of life in our systems! Without a photo, though, my guess is as good as yours, so you might want to do a little searching on the 'net to see what it could be. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Marine Hermits
My name is Stephanie and I am trying to no avail to find some information an salt water  crabs for a report that my daughter is doing about  salt water hermits. All I can seem to find is land hermits. If possible if you can give me any info on the saltwater ones like their enemies and habitats or tell me if you know where to find such information it would be very helpful   thank you in  advance      Stephanie
<Hi, Ryan with you today.  Here's a good article on hermits: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
You may refer to the works listed in the bibliography for further reading on these creatures!  When searching, you may find more success when using the term "Marine Hermits."  Good luck with your report! Ryan>

Anemone Hitchhiker
I just bought a hermit crab and noticed that he has a small anemone on his
shell. Is there any special care like feeding or lighting I need to worry about for his little hitchhiker?  Also is there any special feeding instructions for the crab?  The tank is pretty healthy, and he's the only crab in my 75 gal but I still worry that he wont get enough food. Should I feed him? If so what, and how often?<First of all it would be a good idea to id this guy and then you should be able to find lots of info from there.  Start out with our site: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm. Cody>

Hermits & Parasites (1/9/2004)
Hello everyone: <Steve Allen here>
I did check your articles and the internet and could not find an answer to this question.  Do saltwater hermit crabs carry parasites on their shells <perhaps> and should they be fresh water dipped before being put in a new tank? <No. Instant death to the hermits. Better to quarantine before putting them in your tank, though the risk of parasites is small.>
Also I am cycling <how long> a new tank(20 Gal.) with a blue velvet damsel. <I recommend against cycling with fish. Needless suffering for them. Fish are not needed for cycling. Search WWM for info on how.>  The Sg is 1.026, Ph 8.2, Temp 79, Ammonia .25 and nitrites are 2.0.  I do at least a 25% water change every other day to bring the nitrites down.  I have noticed that the damsel is scratching frequently and have read elsewhere that this could be irritation from the nitrites. <yes> I gave the fish a freshwater dip before introduction into the new tank.   The fish has a voracious appetite <good sign> even now with the nitrites as high as they are. I have not seen any obvious parasites or white spots on the fish.  He does come up to the surface(2" below) frequently in the corner where he is fed so I am assuming he is checking for food.  Can the nitrites cause the damsel to scratch or does the fish have parasites? <If you do not see spots on the fish, it is more likely the toxic effect. Get these numbers down, but don't change too much water or you'll never get it cycled.>
Thank you guys for your help and great articles. <Glad to be of service.>

How Many Hermits? (1/8/2004)
Howdy guys :)  I was wondering what you felt was the correct stocking density for hermit crabs, as I am reading all sorts of different opinions everywhere. <A strong indicator that there is no "correct" stocking density. The more different opinions there are on a subject, the more likely that any given opinion is incorrect.>
I have seen ratios from 1 per gallon to 1 per 10 gallons, and I'm wondering what you guys feel is a good general rule for stocking these critters. <Personally, I use a ratio of zero per gallon. I'm not really into them--sometimes they eat things you don't want them to. I use other things (Nassarius, Turbo, Nerites, & Cerith snails and brittle stars.) As for hermit "ratios," I find it interesting that the highest recommended numbers come from those who are selling them. Bear in mind that none of these "clean-up crews" are a substitute for proper tank management. Go with what seems to make sense to you. I'd keep it on the lower end of the range if I were you.>
Thank you kindly. <You're welcome. Steve Allen>

More Hermit Stocking Questions.. II
>Just so you know, I was able to pry the murderous crab (we've named him Saddam)
>>Oh my God!!  Thank you for the laugh!!
>..off of the two smaller crabs before limbs were torn, so they're still alive and cruisin' the tank. Every crab in the main tank appears to want to live in harmony.
>>Thank goodness, good riddance, and thank goodness!  Lesson learned.  Addition number one to the "derelict tank", eh?
>I've heard of cannibalistic turbo snails. I've added two more large ones to our tank (we had one in there already) and one hung out with ours for a day in the corner of the tank. When the new one moved away from the existing one, I noticed that the new one had blown white stuff onto the existing one's shell and the live rock next to him. Looked like something a pigeon would drop on a sidewalk, if you know what I mean. Excrement or eggs?
>>Hhmm.. sounds like milt to me (fish sperm/semen), but I certainly could be wrong.  I doubt it's excrement.. but again, I could be wrong.  Let's hope it means that they "really like each other".
>Shall I assume that since the existing snail is still intact that the new ones (or at least the one that hung out with him) have no plans to hurt him?  Barb
>>I'd watch and see what transpires.  You'll know soon enough if there's a problem.  However, again, if you're really worried about it, toss him in with Saddam.  If he is a problem, maybe we can call him "Uday".  Marina

More Hermit Stocking Questions.. The Prey of Saddam!
>Haaa! Thank YOU for the laugh.
>>Hi Barb, you're welcome.  I always say, if you can be NOTHING else in life, be an entertainment value.  
>All three of the snails are doing fine, though there's more of that white talc-like stuff on the rocks.
>>Good.. I think.  Hhmm.. snail milt?  No.. I hope if someone's hip to what this is they chime in.
>They don't mess with each other at all. Just passing each other from rock to rock, wall to wall.
>>They just keep on truckin'.
>Found an empty crab shell (not one of the extras I had added) right after I wrote you about no casualties. Apparently, I wrote too soon.
>>An empty shell could be a molt.
>Glad Saddam's in solitary.  
>>So are WE!
>Happy New Year, by the way. I hope 2004 is good to you and those close to you.   Barb
>>Thank you, Barb.  Likewise, and let's hope things continue going (relatively) smoothly with your tank.  Marina

More Hermit Stocking Questions.. The Prey of Saddam! II
>Thanks, Marina.
>>Much welcome, Barb.
>Regarding the possibility of the empty crab shell being a molt, wouldn't I see a new occupant of one of the spare shells (that are deliberately different looking than the ones they came in)?  Barb
>>Not at all.  Just because the crab molted doesn't mean it didn't like its current digs, it just needed to shed.  Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether or not there's actually a body in there, I've found giving it a squeeze usually settles the question (though, after a few days it's going to be same same).  Marina

Empty Shell Syndrome?
>Well, that shell looks pretty empty and it hasn't budged from its current position since we ousted Saddam over a week ago. No sign of an empty (or full) exoskeleton, either.  :(  Barb
>>We should let Saddam's people try him and decide what should be done. }:->  Marina

Saddam, Evil Saddam!  Sad Saddam..
>Hi, Marina. I hope all's well at your end.
>>Yes indeed, just had a short vacation, and taking another short one in the next few days.  I hope all's well for you as well, Barb.
>I'll assume that Saddam alone wasn't able to keep the biological system in the QT balanced, because the water grew increasingly green (water changes didn't help enough).
>>This is free-floating algae, may or may not be indicative of maintaining nitrifying bacteria. But, no worries.
>I was advised by a LFS to put him in the sump of my main tank, which I had no other choice but to do.  My question is how do I keep him nourished without polluting the sump (he's in the section that holds the protein skimmer and it's pump)?
>>You can add just a bit of food every couple of days or so.  Even a chunk of raw shrimp should satisfy him for a while (nothing too large that would then decompose).  If he appears to be growing, or stops eating, he may be in need of a new shell.
>Behaviorally-speaking, will he ever be able to be brought back to the main tank without risking the lives of the other hermit crabs of the same species?
>>Very unlikely.
>I guess I'm hoping that he'd feel like the new kid on the block after being out of the main tank for 6 weeks, and wouldn't be so aggressive to the crabs that are now established
residents.
>>I really don't think crabs think that far ahead or into the past.  Think something more instinctive.
>What has been your experience with this kind of situation (or exposure to other aquarists' experiences)?  Regards, Barb
>>I don't know anyone who's actually wanted to put a "known offender" back into their system.  However, I can tell you that when placed into a new system/similar situation, it tends to be hit or miss.  For the most part, it's been my experience that they'll do what came naturally to them in the first place.  Sorry I don't have better news for you, but it's better to be safe I think, yes?  Marina

More of Saddam in the News!
>Thanks...again.
>>My pleasure, Barb.  
>The shrimp was a big hit. I put some into the main tank, too. I've never seen my clownfish go after anything with such assertion!
>>Works almost every time.  Shrimp are good.
>I've got a pygmy angel (cute little blue guy that looks like he's wearing yellow goggles) that actually took a morsel away from two little hermits that were arguing over it. That'll teach them to waste precious time!
>>Indeed!  I'm glad you're enjoying your little C. argi.
>FYI, the QT wasn't just slightly green when I took Saddam out, it was opaque green. Major bloom.
>>Sounds as though you could have thrown a ham hock in there and had pea soup, eh?
>I'll heed your warning and keep Saddam in the sump away from the others. Enjoy your second vacation!  Barb
>>Thank you, it's not starting till Monday now, but it's starting nonetheless.  Marina

Saltwater Hermit Crab Shells
Dear Crew,  Thank you so much for the great site and for answering my questions in the past!
<We're just glad we can be of service>
Can non-painted shells of ocean origin be used for saltwater hermit crabs, even if they were meant for land hermit crabs?
<As long as they weren't cleaned with any harsh chemicals then a shell from the ocean is exactly what your hermits would be using.>
What about non-painted shells of land origin that are meant for land hermit crabs?
<They are just as safe to use, not sure what shell from the land a hermit would use.  Most non salt shells that are sold for land hermits are Freshwater Apple snails.  And again, provided that they are clean and not be exposed to bad chemicals then it should be okay.>
If shells for land hermits are not okay or are not as good as shells for saltwater hermits, is there anywhere where you can buy large shells for saltwater hermit crabs? Is there any particular sort of shell that you would recommend for a large hermit crab?
<Hermit crabs will make a house out of just about everything.  when diving I've seen them take just about anything from large cans to large pieces of junk.  I would ask you LFS if they have a large shell for you, typically they have one just laying around someplace.  If not then I'm sure they will know where to get one rather than ordering it yourself. -Magnus>
Thank you,
Tyler