6-line vs. emerald crab

[jacrmill]

will my 6 line kill my emerald crabs? I didnt think they would, but when I put my crabs in there, the 6 line picked at them for a minute. So i fed the fish to divert his attention, and I havent seen him pestering them anymore. But ive seen the fish swim near the crabs and they always move to a hiding place really quick. What do you guys think, am I worried for no reason, or is my 6 line going to have an expensive dinner?
Also there is a hermit crabs dead body floating around. how do I know if its a molt? it has some white on the end of it, which makes me think it is not a molt, but a dead crab. would a fish kill a crab and then not eat it?

 

[coraljunky]

My sixline never bothered anything in my tank. No, hermits dont molt.

 

[jacrmill]

any ideas on how it would have died? My water always tests perfect. tank inhabitants are royal gramma, 6 line, was 10 scarlet hermits, 8 snails and now 2 emerald crabs, but the hermit died before the emerald crabs were put in....I just dont know what would kill it and not eat it.

 

[coraljunky]

When hermits die, they jump ship(de-shell). Do you keep any empty shells in the tank? Hermits cant grow their own shell, hence the name hermit crab. It could have been another hermit trying to steal the shell.

 

[jacrmill]

yeah, there are quite a few extra shells. maybe a hermit just decided he really liked one that was already occupied. maybe ill get some more shells too. thanks for the help

 

[jacha66]

I saw one of my scarlets going after another for his shell. went right out to my lfs and got various size emptys.

 

[ooooooohhpeter]

im almost sure that they molt
Originally Posted by coraljunky
My sixline never bothered anything in my tank. No, hermits dont molt.