I'm new to saltwater and my tank is just done cycling. Ammonia 0ppm, nitrites 0ppm, nitrates 10ppm, specific gravity 1.021. I just got 12 blue legged hermit crabs for my tank yesterday and they were active all day. I went to bed last night and woke up this morning and now they're all just kinda standing there... They're not dead, they can be spooked back into their shells and provoked into moving but they're just not going anywhere, I've been watching them for a few hours and none of them have moved any more than an inch. It would seem to me like there's something wrong with my water quality for them to be acting like that but there's nothing that I know of? Any Ideas what's going on?
Hermit crabs just standing there...
- Thread starter L.ost
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Mr. Mojo Rising
7500 Club Member
Normally they forage the tank for food. If the tank is brand new, then no algae and no other food in there, nothing for them to eat or do.
Are there any rocks for them to hide?
Specific gravity is low, did you acclimate them accordingly?
Are there any rocks for them to hide?
Specific gravity is low, did you acclimate them accordingly?
1.021 is low for inverts. 1.026 is appropriate.
hbubley
Active Member
Specific gravity seems low to me, usually it's kept around 1.025, but this may not be a problem. I have limited experience, following and waiting for someone more expert to comment.
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Bring tank to at least 1.024and assure CA level is not low. Assure your numbers given are accurate as i suspect false readings with tank just cycled and can assume you are using an Api kit. Take a water sample to a store that does NOT use Api kits and have them test your ammonia and nitrates and compare readings- then you'll know where your levels truly are at
OP
OP
L.ost
New Member
Brought my specific gravity up to 1.024 and things have only gotten worse I'm afraid. I had like 3 or 4 of the little hermit crabs die on me. I don't have time today but tomorrow I may take your advice and take a water sample in to be tested because I have absolutely no clue how else to troubleshoot this. I am using an API test kit and I've tested multiple times and gotten consistent readings every time.
Wasabiroot
Valonia Slayer
Careful bringing up your salinity. Inverts are sensitive to swings. I agree to raise to 1.026 but I wouldn't do overnight. Could also put salt water in ato until salinity matches
jabberwock
2500 Club Member
Tank pics? I suspect there is not any food for them.
Nemo&Friends
Well-Known Member
I have old blue and red hermit. My salinity is around 1023... I think that hermit are somewhat nocturnal, so they will not be very active during the day unless they smell food. Try to feed them of check at night to see if they move more.
