Hermits eating serpent star

Dennis1438 · 07/05/2006, 08:58 PM

for the past week I noticed my serpent was loosing the tips of his arms. I thought they must have gotten stuck. I was just looking with the moon lights on and saw two blue hermits eating at one tip of his arm. Does anyone know if this is normal. I tried to grab the serpent but he went under the LR. I did notice he had what looked like an open sore on his body.

Should I take out the LR to dig him out?
Has this happened to anyone else? is this common?
I had a second smaller serpent in there but have'nt seen him for a week he probably met his fate with the hermits.

clsanchez77 · 07/05/2006, 09:04 PM

The serpant star is dieing, the hermits are scavenging what is already dead. At least you know the hermits are doing what you paid for them to do. I would remove the star so it does not foul up the water, but then that assume you dont have to tear the tank down to do it. Otherwise just leave him to the hermits.

What your next step should be is find out why he is dieing (as well as why the last one died) before adding any others. Even if decide not to add anymore, still would be a good idea just in case it is a sign of things to come.

Chris

Dennis1438 · 07/05/2006, 09:10 PM

I have tested my water here is the results

Amonia-0
rite-0
rate-0
phos-0
ph-8.3
alk--2.0 I know low
salt-1.024
temp-78.5
calcium-360ppm also low

all the fish seem to be doing fine. I only have 10 hermits so its not like they are full in an 80 gal.

07/05/2006, 08:58 PM	#1
Dennis1438 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Palm City, Florida Posts: 63	Hermits eating serpent star for the past week I noticed my serpent was loosing the tips of his arms. I thought they must have gotten stuck. I was just looking with the moon lights on and saw two blue hermits eating at one tip of his arm. Does anyone know if this is normal. I tried to grab the serpent but he went under the LR. I did notice he had what looked like an open sore on his body. Should I take out the LR to dig him out? Has this happened to anyone else? is this common? I had a second smaller serpent in there but have'nt seen him for a week he probably met his fate with the hermits.

07/05/2006, 09:04 PM	#2
clsanchez77 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Metairie, La Posts: 822	The serpant star is dieing, the hermits are scavenging what is already dead. At least you know the hermits are doing what you paid for them to do. I would remove the star so it does not foul up the water, but then that assume you dont have to tear the tank down to do it. Otherwise just leave him to the hermits. What your next step should be is find out why he is dieing (as well as why the last one died) before adding any others. Even if decide not to add anymore, still would be a good idea just in case it is a sign of things to come. Chris

07/05/2006, 09:10 PM	#3
Dennis1438 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Palm City, Florida Posts: 63	I have tested my water here is the results Amonia-0 rite-0 rate-0 phos-0 ph-8.3 alk--2.0 I know low salt-1.024 temp-78.5 calcium-360ppm also low all the fish seem to be doing fine. I only have 10 hermits so its not like they are full in an 80 gal.