EMERGENCY MAYBE IDK

michaelabellz · Nov 19, 2020

Okay so I just let my 5 dwarf hermit crabs into my tank and right away one of the hermit crabs got out of its shell. I tried to nudge it back to him as he’s exploring the tank but he keeps leaving it. I do have extra shells but they are all bigger and he is quite small. I have no idea what to do and my local fish store said that there wasn’t much to do about it as they have a mind of their own.

michaelabellz · Nov 19, 2020

He’s very tiny probably have to look closely

xxkenny90xx · Nov 19, 2020

Strange. Hopefully nobody attacks it while it's exploring. Ya there isn't much you can do but make sure you have plenty of shells.

Chayo · Nov 19, 2020

You could isolate him with a couple of shells in a Tupperware see if he crawls into one, or if you have a acclimation box.

Marine Life · Nov 19, 2020

I've never seen that before. But, I don't think there is much you can do. And I wouldn't worry about it.

Pistondog · Nov 19, 2020

michaelabellz said:
Okay so I just let my 5 dwarf hermit crabs into my tank and right away one of the hermit crabs got out of its shell. I tried to nudge it back to him as he’s exploring the tank but he keeps leaving it. I do have extra shells but they are all bigger and he is quite small. I have no idea what to do and my local fish store said that there wasn’t much to do about it as they have a mind of their own.

He'll find a hiding place and be ok.

Hallowhead · Nov 19, 2020

Had enough of the shell he was in ! Reckless dude for sure

Biokabe · Nov 19, 2020

I've had hermits do that before. Not really an emergency - they'll mess around for a bit until they find something they're satisfied with.

tnewell · Nov 19, 2020

Biokabe said:
I've had hermits do that before. Not really an emergency - they'll mess around for a bit until they find something they're satisfied with.

Wow sounds like your talking about a anemone

DirkCourage · Nov 22, 2020

It must be a full moon, mine just did the same thing! Unfortunately, he seemed to be tumbling around in some corner flow. I moved a couple shells near him...

michaelabellz · Nov 22, 2020

DirkCourage said:
It must be a full moon, mine just did the same thing! Unfortunately, he seemed to be tumbling around in some corner flow. I moved a couple shells near him...

Ugh, hopefully he gets back in a shell. I would try to separate him from the rest of the tank as mine did not last long with 3 shrimp. I regret not just separating him and leaving him with a shell.

vetteguy53081 · Nov 22, 2020

Let it do its' thing naturally. Nudging back rarely encourages it to go back but rather run for cover and get stressed out. It may not do a thing until lights out when it feels safe.

flairbear04 · Dec 1, 2020

I think they get out of their shell to molt. I have many hermit crabs and have never actually seen the process. I only find bodies lying around haha. When I first discovered one of the "bodies" when I got my first hermit crab I was CERTAIN he was dead because he was hiding in his shell and I couldn't see the opening. Then, I found him climbing up a rock later on and I was like "how'd you come back to life!!" I looked it up and I was like oh. Lol anyway I hope your little hermie is okay. I know I'm a little late