Hermit crab question

[jba6511]

I have 3 blue leg hermit crabs that have been pretty active in the tank for about 3 weeks now. They were pretty small when we got them and we also purchased shells of varying sizes for them to take over later. One of the smallest ones has been on the sand bed for about 24 hours not moving upside down. The others, various snails and the clown fish are doing fine. Is it possible he is getting ready to take over another shell or is he possibly a goner? The other shells have been getting flipped around but not sure if this is from the snails at night. How long does it take the hermit crabs to shed their old shells and fine new ones and are there any signs that this is about to happen? Should I get the small one out of the tank?

 

[nick76]

reach in and flip him over and place him in a spot u will know if he moves then wait n see.

 

[jba6511]

did that about an hour ago and nothing yet. How long do you think I should wait before discarding if he does not move? I would hate for the ammonia levels to rise, although he is only as big as the tip of a pencil.

 

[nick76]

Originally Posted by jba6511
did that about an hour ago and nothing yet. How long do you think I should wait before discarding if he does not move? I would hate for the ammonia levels to rise, although he is only as big as the tip of a pencil.
Chances are the other will feast on him when they realize he's dead. The Ammonia from a blueleg should not even cause the ammonia's to change.

 

[sherms]

ya i agree a blueleg would be fine for the amonia level and that other inverts you have will feast on him, i will say from expierece that be careful with your shell sizes on your extra shell because hermit crabs grow according to there shell and i had a hermit crab move into a large shell that i had and he grew quite tremendous and then started killing my other hermit crabs, why i dont know. But im really new so my info may not be correct but id thought id try to help.