hermit crab had babys

[millie123]

hi everyone,ive been looking at this sight for a few weeks.i must say it is very helpfull and informative.i have an ar510,three clown fish,eight blue leg hermits and two,i think there called orange tips.they are quite a bit bigger.i noticed one of the blue legs pull herself out of her shell.on her back there where lots of blue eggs.these turned out to be larvae which she expelled as soon as the lights went off.sadley everything but the bar mans dog had a feast.there was none to be seen the following morning.my question is if any have survied,how long do they free swim before needing a shell.also would a cerith snail shell be a good starter home.thanks in advance for any info.

 

[reefD]

this is very very common. normally none survive . normal home aquariums are not made to raise crab larva thus mortality rate is 100%. most people experience this when they first bring home some hermits . thats because when they are at distruibuters or lfs they tend to be involved in large group mating activities.

 

[millie123]

thanks for the reply.it was interesting while it lasted.the clowns had a good live meal.thanks again.

tony

 

[musty baby]

involved in large group mating activities.

Lucky!