Hermit Crabs

[hab2001]

I currently have about 40 crabs in my tank but I'm discovering that some are dying or just missing. I found one yesterday that was out of his shell dead. All my water levels are good except for my alkanlity is a little low so I have been adding additives. I have 1 yellow tang, 2 clowns, and a chromis. Should I be buying empty shells so as the crabs grow larger they can move into another shell or is something else happening here? Also my diatoms algae is moderate in my tank.

 

[fishy7]

:thinking:
1) Hermits will kill for shells. So i would get a few extra just in case they are looking to upgrade.
2) Could be a molt.
If your water looks good must be one of the above, in most cases.
Hope this helps a little.

 

[topfins-mj]

They need empty shells.
I just added ten to my tank, the next day I saw a few empty shells, some of the new crabs moved into new homes from existing crab shells that had died. It's so funny to see them trying out new shells. If they cannto find a shell they will fall out and die.

 

[poniegirl]

Originally Posted by hab2001
I currently have about 40 crabs in my tank but I'm discovering that some are dying or just missing. I found one yesterday that was out of his shell dead. All my water levels are good except for my alkanlity is a little low so I have been adding additives. I have 1 yellow tang, 2 clowns, and a chromis. Should I be buying empty shells so as the crabs grow larger they can move into another shell or is something else happening here? Also my diatoms algae is moderate in my tank.
What size tank, Hab?

 

[rbrockm1]

they could also be starving. thats a lot of crabs, you would hve to make sure they get food to