something is killing my hermit crabs

[aquaman623]

i have about 35 hermits, but something is killing them. could my brittle star be the killer?? it is a large one. i have lost about 2 every other day. i started with 45. can anyone help me??

 

[rockies]

45 hermits seems like a high number to me. Perhaps they are killing each other for their shells. Do you have a sufficient supply of extra shells for them to swap peacefully?

 

[aquaman623]

yes i have a crushed coral medium with shells, and i put about 40 shells in. the crabs range in size from 1/4inch to 1inch. i thought you need 1 crab per 1gal, for clean-up.:notsure:

 

[saltcreep]

They will fight and kill each other:yes:

 

[aquaman623]

the death seems to be 98% scarlet crabs rather than blue leg;that is the combo i have.:help:

 

[new_noob]

there is the problem, Blue legs are agressive, you can only have blue legs, or only scarlets. Plant some bait in the middle of the tank and wait for all of the bluelegs to come out and then, BAM!, snatch them, you might be able to trade them for some more scarlets.

 

[nayr]

if you can't keep blue and scarlet crabs together, why does the lfs sell them in "reef packages?" even this site sells them that way. i have kept blue and scarlet crabs together in a 55 and now in a 90 and have never witnessed any agression.

 

[new_noob]

If you dont take them out, be prepared to see alot of blue, ask anyone, bluelegs are aggresive....

 

[nayr]

any suggestions on which hermits to run in a 20g refug.?

 

[new_noob]

Scarlets stiil, Bluelegs will also try and kill some snails if they want their shell.

 

[nayr]

thanks for the suggestion :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: