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Unread 08/18/2009, 08:26 PM   #1
snorkeler
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Hermit crab canibalism

Had my first death in the tank, a hermit crab which is being eaten by another hermit crab right now:



There was one hermit that got stuck in valve of the tube going down to the pump, which I rescued after a few hours and put him back in the display tank. Maybe the stress was too big for him....

Guess this is normal, right?

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Unread 08/18/2009, 08:28 PM   #2
Sisterlimonpot
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were they both red legged?


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Unread 08/18/2009, 09:11 PM   #3
Seamus1
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I don't have any hermit crabs in my tank. They kill snails as well. I have about 15 snails and a couple of coral banded shrimp - that does the job. And yeah, at different times I have had them, they frequently fight for the shell.


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Unread 08/18/2009, 09:22 PM   #4
sedor
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Hermits are mean little fellas, people underestimate them I think.


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Unread 08/18/2009, 09:24 PM   #5
snorkeler
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Yes, they were of the same type/color. I'm uploading a youtube snip of them, but the colors there are tainted green.... done, here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUZ3MZ9mSiI

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Unread 08/18/2009, 10:04 PM   #6
Flipper62
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It the crab that got stuck was not doing good the other crab could have senced this & went over to finish it off.

When ever something dies in a tank or starts to die, the crabs & snails sence it & attack & eat it.

Hermits are good for the tank. However I always keep larger empty shells in the tank. If the hermits out grow their shell, they will look to take over a larger shell. If they find a Margarita or turbo snail they may kill it & hijack their shell. With the empty shells in there they sometimes will take over the empty shell first.


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Unread 08/18/2009, 10:36 PM   #7
BurntOutReefer
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Actually...they are trying to upgrade their house, hence they will kill anything that has a bigge shell. Always best to buy extra shell when you get crabs


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Unread 08/18/2009, 10:46 PM   #8
JLAURIA751
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blue legs and red legs kill each other alot sometimes for their shells but most of the time for other reasons. hermits attack other hermits alot more frequently than the snails. The snails are harder to get at I know it takes alot more finger strength to move a snail than a crab.


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Unread 08/18/2009, 10:52 PM   #9
JLAURIA751
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Oh and nice picture my camera sucks it could never take pictures like that.


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Unread 08/18/2009, 11:06 PM   #10
Flipper62
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Quote:
Originally posted by JLAURIA751
blue legs and red legs kill each other alot sometimes for their shells but most of the time for other reasons. hermits attack other hermits alot more frequently than the snails. The snails are harder to get at I know it takes alot more finger strength to move a snail than a crab.
Most of the time, when a Turbo or Margarita snail gets its guts eatin by a Hermit crab is when the snail falls off a rock and lands on their back. They cant right themselfs back up. So a Hermit will dive in.

However, I have seen a Hermit go right after a snail & take it over for its shell

JLAURIA751........Only 1.5 years in this hobby...........Live & Learn. You wont believe the things that you will see in the future.


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If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside."

Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay.
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