Where did this hermit crab come from?

bojuben

Member
This is making me question my sanity..........
Simple math...............
6 weeks ago purchased 6 scarlet hermit crabs. All were immobile but peaked out of their shells.
- Approx 1 week later none were peaking out of shells.
- 1 crawled out of it's shell and died.
- Did a 25% water change.
- 1 crab came out and has been active since.
- Checked the remaining crabs (sniff test) and all were dead.
- Decided to leave shells in the tank so I would have extra shells for future crabs and to check my cycle. (Tank was only 4 weeks old at this time - very minor ammonia spike but nothing to worry about)
Now 5 dead crabs and 1 that is alive. only other tankmate is a snail)
Since this crab was up and around I figured it was time to try some more. Monday I purchased 3 more scarlet hermits. I placed each on a different rock (live rock). Each stayed on the rock I placed them and have been happy and eating.
This makes 4 live crabs!
This morning I was doing minor maintained and checking everyone. All 4 crabs were on their rock. Then I noticed the crab from the original batch coming out of his shell a little more than usual. OK - he is just stretching to move his shell. NOPE - out he came and his back end was cut. He was dead!
As I sat there and watched this now empty shell and another crab immerged. I quickly did a head count and the other crabs were still on their rock. The new crab is now munching away on the dead crab.
I did not see him go in and I was watching the tank for close to an hour. I thought that when hermits decided on a shell they pulled the old one out and then climbed in?
So I guess my questions are..............
- Where did this crab come from?
- How did I go from 4 crabs to 5?
- Could it have been sharing the shell before it kicked the other crab out? BTW - the new one is definitely larger and from the looking they both would not fit.
- Could it have been one of the original crabs that may have climbed out of his shell 4 weeks ago and was hiding in the rock only to pick this time to steal the shell from his friend?
I am totally confused! :confused:
 

007

Active Member
definitely a molt. Kinda cool that you saw it happen too. I have never seen it actually occur, but always the remnants. Nothing to worry about.
 

luvnluk

Member
I thought that I had lost my hermit when he molted for the first time. He was sluggish before and after the molt. When I saw the molted shell I assumed that he was dead, however, a day or two later he was crawling around as usual. It's really interesting when he hosts a new shell. Have fun with your hermit!
 

bojuben

Member
WOW - I can't believe I got to see this happen.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
I started to wonder if I needed to go back to 1st grade so I could learn how to count. Seems I am OK after all :joy:
Thanks!
 
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