herment

DaltonJames · 07/10/2007, 01:04 PM

my herment carb is big it is a least 4 in it is out of its shelll and the shell is gone will it grow a new shellll

chemesgh · 07/10/2007, 01:07 PM

Ehhhh, what???

Reefmack · 07/10/2007, 01:10 PM

Hermit crabs don't grow shells - they use empty snail shells to keep their soft bodies in for protection. Hopefully it will find it's old shell or a different one it can fit into. If you can see it's old shell, or an empty one big enough, move it by the hermit crab so it can get into it.

dcombs44 · 07/10/2007, 01:48 PM

I just read another thread about the same type of event. As mentioned, hermits don't grow shells, they use unoccupied shells from other creatures i.e. snails or conchs. Sometimes they will attempt to kill for a new shell. As they grow, they need bigger shells, so they will leave the current and find a bigger one. In my experience, hermits will go directly from one shell into another, and if they are out of the shell, they are very vulnerable. The previous post that I mentioned ultimately lead to his hermit being consumed by a starfish. I would say if your hermit is out of the shell, he can't find one big enough, or some other health issue is causing it problems.

DaltonJames · 07/10/2007, 01:53 PM

he went back in its ok

meco65 · 07/10/2007, 01:57 PM

I would try to get him some shells that are a little bigger than the one he is in.

spinninmidwater · 07/10/2007, 02:38 PM

i have to agree with meco65. this is quite abnormal for hermits to stay outta shell for any length of time. what i observed is when it's time for a bigger shell they go and find one and move into the new shell a few days before they actually molt. so in your case, i suspect there could be fighting between hermits for other's shell. i watched that happen and the loser was left with no shell and wandered around pityfully. i placed an empty shell near it and it crawled right in. that's what i found

backyardspecial · 07/10/2007, 02:41 PM

Dude, did you just say your hermit is 4inchs?

kidcurry1000 · 07/10/2007, 03:00 PM

all replys are dead right,got 3 in my tank all with diffrent shells
you can get them from your local fish store for pennys.
just put 1 in the crab will find it and leave a spare shell empty.

Reefmack · 07/10/2007, 04:25 PM

I've seen hermits as big as 4 inches or maybe even bigger, but I always wondered if those were reef/fish safe.

Nanz · 07/11/2007, 09:42 AM

Can we see a pic please?

07/10/2007, 01:04 PM	#1
DaltonJames Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: novi,MI Posts: 325	herment my herment carb is big it is a least 4 in it is out of its shelll and the shell is gone will it grow a new shellll

07/10/2007, 01:48 PM	#4
dcombs44 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 2,913	I just read another thread about the same type of event. As mentioned, hermits don't grow shells, they use unoccupied shells from other creatures i.e. snails or conchs. Sometimes they will attempt to kill for a new shell. As they grow, they need bigger shells, so they will leave the current and find a bigger one. In my experience, hermits will go directly from one shell into another, and if they are out of the shell, they are very vulnerable. The previous post that I mentioned ultimately lead to his hermit being consumed by a starfish. I would say if your hermit is out of the shell, he can't find one big enough, or some other health issue is causing it problems. __________________ Current Setup: 10 Gallon Skimmerless Zoanthid Tank Lighting: Single 175 Watt Metal Halide (14,000 K Hamilton Lamp) Filtration: 10 gallon sump/refugium and Phosban Reactor Return: Mag Drive 700 Controller: ReefKeeper Lite (Basic Version) Circulation: TBD Age of System: Build is in Progress

07/10/2007, 01:07 PM	#2
chemesgh Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 179	Ehhhh, what???

07/10/2007, 01:10 PM	#3
Reefmack Moved On Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 3,412	Hermit crabs don't grow shells - they use empty snail shells to keep their soft bodies in for protection. Hopefully it will find it's old shell or a different one it can fit into. If you can see it's old shell, or an empty one big enough, move it by the hermit crab so it can get into it.

07/10/2007, 01:53 PM	#5
DaltonJames Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: novi,MI Posts: 325	he went back in its ok

07/10/2007, 01:57 PM	#6
meco65 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,603	I would try to get him some shells that are a little bigger than the one he is in.

07/10/2007, 02:38 PM	#7
spinninmidwater Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 138	i have to agree with meco65. this is quite abnormal for hermits to stay outta shell for any length of time. what i observed is when it's time for a bigger shell they go and find one and move into the new shell a few days before they actually molt. so in your case, i suspect there could be fighting between hermits for other's shell. i watched that happen and the loser was left with no shell and wandered around pityfully. i placed an empty shell near it and it crawled right in. that's what i found

07/10/2007, 02:41 PM	#8
backyardspecial Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Socal Posts: 220	Dude, did you just say your hermit is 4inchs?

07/10/2007, 03:00 PM	#9
kidcurry1000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: lancashire Posts: 34	all replys are dead right,got 3 in my tank all with diffrent shells you can get them from your local fish store for pennys. just put 1 in the crab will find it and leave a spare shell empty.

07/10/2007, 04:25 PM	#10
Reefmack Moved On Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 3,412	I've seen hermits as big as 4 inches or maybe even bigger, but I always wondered if those were reef/fish safe.

07/11/2007, 09:42 AM	#11
Nanz Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,389	Can we see a pic please?