Why do hermies like snail shells?

[mommafishinmd]

I know it is a stupid question but I can not find an answer anywhere!

We just bought 10 more blue legs and dropped them into the tank and off they went cleaning up. But just 1 of them within 10 mins of being in the tank found and empty snail shell and made it his home. Why do they prefer snail shells? Are the lighter? Is it SW fashion?

I am just trying to figure out why he would prefer an ugly black shell when he had a pretty white and pink one? Not only that the snail shell was smaller than his. I guess his house was too big??

I wonder how many are in the empty snail shells now. Guess I will be looking for those tonight when I get home!

 

[crossan]

my blue legged hermit crabs do that also, I don't know why.

 

[renogaw]

hermit's bodies are coiled. they have the hard shell where their claws and fore body is, but the tail is soft and not protected by a hard shell of their own.

 

[jonthefishguy]

its not about color or preferance to lighter or anything like that. Hermits molt and whenthe do, that means they are gtting bitter and now dont fit so well in the shell that they are in, so they go HOUSE HUNTING and find one that will suit them. Sometimes they steal it from another hermit or kill a snail for its shell. They also try on shells like women try on shoes. They are trying tofid the right one so sometimes you will see them go from house to house finding a nice fit.

 

[mommafishinmd]

Thanks Jon!

I was just surprised to see him get into a new house that fast! Hubby and I voted that at least 1 of the 3 empty snail shells on the top of the reef would not be there in the morning and we were right only 1 is left. I guess the new hermies went shopping last night!

 

[payton 350]

Originally Posted by jonthefishguy
They also try on shells like women try on shoes. They are trying tofid the right one so sometimes you will see them go from house to house finding a nice fit.

yeah they do....and it's pretty funny.......also funny when 3 of them fight over one shell ...one takes it the other grabs him...tries pulling him out or sometimes getting into it with him

 

[mommafishinmd]

Originally Posted by Payton 350
yeah they do....and it's pretty funny.......also funny when 3 of them fight over one shell ...one takes it the other grabs him...tries pulling him out or sometimes getting into it with him

What was funny was the traffic jam on the reef this morning. There were like 7 of them in one area and the bigger of the 7 was getting mad that there were in his way so he kept grabbing them and moving them out of his way. They kept coming back so he finally grabbed one and threw him off the reef.

What a bully

 

[renogaw]

yea, i love watching the hermit pile up dont be surprised though if they are mating as well

if you want a good show, put a nice piece of fish or shrimp in the bottom of your tank, every single part of your cleanup crew will come fight over it

 

[mommafishinmd]

Well whatever they found this morning was fight worthy! I could not help but to laugh when watching the bigger one start bouncing his friends out of his party!

 

[saltfish123]

Originally Posted by crossan
my blue legged hermit crabs do that also, I don't know why.
as do mine

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by saltfish123
as do mine
Hermies on occasion will kill snails for new homes and for sport and hunger.

 

[smartorl]

Mine play musical shells all the time which is easy for me because in each tank, all of my crabs are different colors. Last week they all were switching around and left the smallest crab with the largest shell which he couldn't use. I ran out to the LFS to get some smaller shells and when I came back he was wearing a barnacle that had fallen off the rocks. He seems to like it and is still in it, they can be really amusing to watch.

 

[msez2u]

I have one who is like that...hes the bully of the tank...so thats how he got his name...Butch. I'm glad other people get as much enjoyment as I do with my hermies