How big do crabs get?

[marty]

I have two crabs (I believe red) that are getting huge!! Their claws are easily 2+ inches long. I am beggining to worry that their shells are too small. I have added several shells since I got them and they have moved over the months to new shells. They are currently in not the largest shells, but large enough and light weight. The other larger shells seem to be heavier.
Here is another thing: Crabbie (first crab I got) was in his new shell for quite awhile). Peanut (the 2nd crab I got) moved shells more often, and then one night we heard something. We looked at Crabbie was NOT in a shell and Peanut had taken over Crabbie's shell. I moved another shell near Crabbie and in the morning he was in it. Later he finally moved again and found a similar shell to he was in. Wild, huh?
BTW, my step daughters named the crabs, not I.
Thanks,
Marty

 

[sinner's girl]

Scarlet Hermit will get to 1-2 inches...
Hermits in gerneral will move shells when the one they have is too small, too big.

 

[sandy]

How long do they live? My second largest hermit (and my favorite - Buster w/beautiful blue eyes) -- looked like he was molting, but then I checked his shell and it was empty. Next thing I know the shrimp are eating his body. Yes, the body and not a molt. Wonder what killed him? <img src="graemlins//confused2.gif" border="0" alt="[confused2]" />
Don't know what he was. Not a blueleg, not a scarlet. He had red furry legs.

 

[shel]

Sure Marty you are using your step daughters to cover up for naming your crabs. I think we all come up with names for at least a few of are pets.
My decorator crab is named "BEAST" he is huge, he looks like king kong going up the lr at night.
I also have a brittle star fish named Sharlee.

 

[ocellaris_keeper]

I once lost all my fish to ick - then treated the tank - put everything in it to kill any inverts. none of my hermits nor my snails died during the process - I've had the same blue legged crabs for over a year. they are starting to look like little monsters.

 

[litmus]

Marty, it sounds like you have the hairy-legged red hermits, and not the scarlet reef hermits which are more commonly seen. This particular kind of hermit can sometimes grow to be the size of a softball. They're huge, as far as hermits go. The important distinction is wether or not the crab has hairy legs.