Hermit Crab died yesterday.

[GigaFish]

I had him for about a year and half. Recently I noticed him checking out other shells that were way to small for him. So the next day I went to petsmart and bought a few of the hermit crab shells that they have individually packaged and he immediately chose one and made the swap right in front of me. Then after about a week I saw a drastic drop in activity from him and thought he was molting. I checked on him every day my moving the shell a little bit and getting him to react but last night he didnt move. I pulled the shell out and he was in fact dead. I pulled him out of the shell and the worm part of his body was all swollen and ready to explode. I have checked my water quality and everything is fine. My corals, other crabs and snails are doing fine. Is there a chance that the shell I gave him was toxic in some way? Has anyone had any similar experience right after a shell swap?

 

[livingcorals]

Could have not made it in time to settle in the other shell....(just a thought)
If you can go to any local saltwater store and ask for shells. Sometimes they give you them.
I have a blue leg that is about 2years old!! Named him BOB and i'll put up a pic by tonight.
Hes little bigger then a golf ball but I'll always keep and extra shell around.


Oh and if you can only get shells from petsmart... Try and seam them 1st.
But still ya never know

 

[Kemo484]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11737453#post11737453 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by livingcorals
Oh and if you can only get shells from petsmart... Try and seam them 1st.
But still ya never know

I think he ment steam, but agreed, IMO boil every shell before you put it in the tank and always keep a good variety on hand. Next time you go on vacation to the beach try to find as many as you can.

 

[Kemo484]

Double post, sorry

 

[livingcorals]

Sorry lol wanted it to say steam

 

[widmer]

That was a breathtaking story.

 

[livingcorals]

Meet Bob The redleg hermit

Meet Bob The redleg hermit

Wish the picture came out better but here is my Regleg Hermit that I has been in the reef for 2yrs so far.

Shell is about 1 1/2

 

[iwishtofish]

GigaFish, sorry to hear about your crab. Could be it was just its time! Or maybe that evil flame angel set him up...