hermit crab stuck in rocks

[amber3k]

If a large (1.5"-2" shell) hermit crab gets its shell stuck in the rocks, will it starve or eventually leave the shell and look for another?

 

[cloak]

I would think it would eventually leave the shell and look for another. They're extremely vulnerable in this state though, so maybe not. Have you tried using a stick or a power head to pry it loose? What kind of fish do you have in the tank?

 

[amber3k]

I tried several ways to pry him out, this isn't his first time doing this either. I eventually just pulled all the rock, but I dont plan on doing that again. I have a sadleback clown and two other clowns (not sure if perc or occ.), blue tag, potters angel, firefish goby, copperband butterfly and a ruby red dragonet. I'm not sure if any would attack him though.

 

[Sk8r]

You may have a female looking for a place she won't be bothered. Had one do this, and caught her a few nights later standing atop the ridge, releasing scores of progeny who, of course in our tanks, would become fish food or get caught in the system. Nowadays I have a big cheato ball in the sump that could field some fry of that sort, but, not so much then.

 

[Pife]

You may have a female looking for a place she won't be bothered. Had one do this, and caught her a few nights later standing atop the ridge, releasing scores of progeny who, of course in our tanks, would become fish food or get caught in the system. Nowadays I have a big cheato ball in the sump that could field some fry of that sort, but, not so much then.

Very interesting. I have never read about this before.

 

[MMacro]

I tried several ways to pry him out, this isn't his first time doing this either. I eventually just pulled all the rock, but I dont plan on doing that again. I have a sadleback clown and two other clowns (not sure if perc or occ.), blue tag, potters angel, firefish goby, copperband butterfly and a ruby red dragonet. I'm not sure if any would attack him though.

Some of the fish might pick on him. How big is your tank?

 

[amber3k]

150g