Blue Legged Hermit Crabs

[Mmar2385]

Just a couple hermit crabs hanging out. I bought 100 of these from Aquarium Depot! My first shipment didn't make the strenuous 5 day shipping, UPS delayed my package for no reason and caused all 100 of them to be DOA. I showed Aquarium Depot and they hooked me up with another 100 hermit crabs at no extra charge! All hermits are alive and well. They're already getting straight to work picking away at all the algae! I could watch these guys for hours.

 

[Isopod80]

Nice. Just make sure you have some empty shells available to minimize shell fights.

 

[Mmar2385]

Nice. Just make sure you have some empty shells available to minimize shell fights.

Thank you I will. Unfortunately where I live, there aren't a lot of places that sell shells. Michael's had some good shells which some of my crabs are rocking right now but it isn't enough. I will be buying a lot more!

 

[Isopod80]

You can buy empty Cerith shells in bulk online for cheap. It's the preferred shell of blue legs.

 

[Mmar2385]

You can buy empty Cerith shells in bulk online for cheap. It's the preferred shell of blue legs.

Before I saw this, I just purchased 2 pounds of assorted shells for my hermits. I hear they grow fast, is this true? And thank you for the advice!

 

[Isopod80]

They can grow rather quickly but fortunately the blue legs stay small. They should never require Cerith shells more than 1 1/2" in lenth.

 

[Mmar2385]

Thank you for the insight. I purchased the wrong one, they're way too large. I will be on the lookout for cerith small to medium shells.

 

[Mmar2385]

They can grow rather quickly but fortunately the blue legs stay small. They should never require Cerith shells more than 1 1/2" in lenth.

Now I have a question, what is the difference between the top two???

 

[Isopod80]

Yes, Cerith is short for Cerithium. If you have 100 crabs, I'd want at least 25 random sized empty shells. You can place them behind the rocks in the back of the tank so you don't have them littering your sandbed. The crabs will easily find them and sort through them as needed. The difference between the top two is Cerith species. Slightly different color and texture but either should work. The C. molniferus are nicer looking in my opinion.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

They will fight for shells. It’s like highlander. There can be only one

 

[Mmar2385]

They will fight for shells. It’s like highlander. There can be only one

Yes, which is why I bought over 200 different sizes in cerith shells

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Yes, which is why I bought over 200 different sizes in cerith shells

They are morons. They’ll fight over shells even if there are empty ones. I prefer scarlet reef crabs. So gentle

 

[Isopod80]

I agree that when you have a large number of blue legs, some shell fights are inevitable even with empty shells. The empty shells will certainly reduce this though.

 

[Mmar2385]

They are morons. They’ll fight over shells even if there are empty ones. I prefer scarlet reef crabs. So gentle

Dang, tell me how you really feel

 

[wonroc]

They will fight for shells. It’s like highlander. There can be only one

This is true. No matter how many empty shells i have, they have to have what the other guy has. Its just like human greed.

 

[Mmar2385]

This is true. No matter how many empty shells i have, they have to have what the other guy has. Its just like human greed.

Ooooohhhhhhh... makes sense!