Red Hermit crabs

[adamcollins]

Hi I have 6 red hermit carbs which 5 seem to be doing well i have one though that i think has lost its front legs, (some how) but the problem i have is that it has moved out of its orginal shell and got into a huge one far to big for the crab, he doesnt move though i fed it so it is eating but because the shell is far to big he cant move around, i cant find his orginal shell now though as i think another crab has made it his new home, do you think its a good idea to find a smaller shell in the tank and place it next to him to see if he wants to move into that one
Will my crab die?
Me feeding it is this keeping it alive will he grow back his legs and be able to walk again? if so how long does this take?
In the tank i have also
2x Clowns
1x Purple Fire Fish
1x Flame hawk fish
1x Royal grammer
5 more red hermit crabs
2x Cleaner shrimps

 

[bionicarm]

You should always have a few extra empty shells avialable in the tank so hermits won't fight one another, or kill snails, when they decide to find new 'homes'. I think they sell them pretty cheap here at SWF, or just ask your LFS for a few.
As far as the hermit with no legs - never really seen that one. Most of the small inverts I keep in my tanks, crabs and snails, are relatively inexpensive. Half the time, I don't even keep track of them since I have so many in the tank. If you're dead set on trying to keep him alive, you can put a smaller shell in the tank around where he's at. As mobile as they are, he'll most likely find another home, or unfortunately die.