big hermit crab, is it ok to keep?

Vince S. · 09-05-2001, 05:44 PM

I have a hermit crab is little big bigger than the size of a quarter. Myabe it's the size of his shell but compared to others, he defin stands out. His pincher seems ... huge when all the other red hermits have normal pincers. Should I leave him there?

Reinhold · 09-05-2001, 06:01 PM

I had a large hermit in my tank when I first converted from FO to reef keeping. The crab picked up my first reef addition, an anemone (I know, I know...) and carried it around the tank like a lunch box. Every now and then, it would set it down and snack on it for awhile. I brought the crab back to the LFS. The anemone died, of course.

I don't think large hermits are reef safe.

Vince S. · 09-05-2001, 06:25 PM

It's weird... he does have red legs like all the other red hermits but one of his pincers.. are like gigantic compared to others! Does this mean he is male or something?

Also, if I do not provide hermits with any shells, will they stay small?

cod · 09-05-2001, 08:32 PM

Hey Vince!

When my hermits get too big, they knock things over with thier shells. I put them "out to pasture" in my refugium.

Yes, you need to provide larger shells for when they outgrow the ones they have.

asmith · 09-05-2001, 10:42 PM

I have given up on hermit crabs in my tanks. They take out your snails even when there are plenty of empty shells for them. I compare them to little kids. They always want the toy that the other kid has even though there are plenty of others for them to play with.

I have a few bluelegs left in my tank and they have been fighting it out for shells almost every day. I will be removing them and giving/selling them to the LFS soon and will be using only snails in my cleanup crew from now on.

JMO/JME,
Andrew

09-05-2001, 05:44 PM	#1
Vince S. Tenant Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ny Posts: 53	big hermit crab, is it ok to keep? I have a hermit crab is little big bigger than the size of a quarter. Myabe it's the size of his shell but compared to others, he defin stands out. His pincher seems ... huge when all the other red hermits have normal pincers. Should I leave him there? __________________ This is the last smile that I will fake for the sake of being with you. *Let your anger out and scream, scream untill your veins pop out and you start bleeding to death. Ready, 1. 2. 3. AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

09-05-2001, 06:25 PM	#3
Vince S. Tenant Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ny Posts: 53	It's weird... he does have red legs like all the other red hermits but one of his pincers.. are like gigantic compared to others! Does this mean he is male or something? Also, if I do not provide hermits with any shells, will they stay small? __________________ This is the last smile that I will fake for the sake of being with you. *Let your anger out and scream, scream untill your veins pop out and you start bleeding to death. Ready, 1. 2. 3. AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

09-05-2001, 08:32 PM	#4
cod Tenant Join Date: May 2001 Location: china grove,n.c. usa Posts: 75	Hey Vince! When my hermits get too big, they knock things over with thier shells. I put them "out to pasture" in my refugium. Yes, you need to provide larger shells for when they outgrow the ones they have. __________________ It's more a science project than a fish tank Last edited by cod; 09-05-2001 at 08:36 PM.

09-05-2001, 10:42 PM	#5
asmith Mayor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lenexa, KS, USA Posts: 978	I have given up on hermit crabs in my tanks. They take out your snails even when there are plenty of empty shells for them. I compare them to little kids. They always want the toy that the other kid has even though there are plenty of others for them to play with. I have a few bluelegs left in my tank and they have been fighting it out for shells almost every day. I will be removing them and giving/selling them to the LFS soon and will be using only snails in my cleanup crew from now on. JMO/JME, Andrew __________________ Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

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09-05-2001, 06:01 PM	#2
Reinhold Mayor Join Date: May 2001 Location: USA Posts: 941	I had a large hermit in my tank when I first converted from FO to reef keeping. The crab picked up my first reef addition, an anemone (I know, I know...) and carried it around the tank like a lunch box. Every now and then, it would set it down and snack on it for awhile. I brought the crab back to the LFS. The anemone died, of course. I don't think large hermits are reef safe.

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