Hermit crabs

[HeavyWater247]

Are they cannibalistic? I buy like 10 small ones and they are all over the place. Over time I notice the top half of a cadaver floating on the substrate. I'm thinking a more aggressive crab wanted his shell and used his finishing move but can't really confirm. I know one of my larger crabs took out a margarita snail for it's shell. I don't mind them killing each other because they are so cheap but was just curious if this is normal?

 

[cloak]

Are you sure what your seeing is not a molt?

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/6/inverts

 

[HeavyWater247]

hmm...good point. i'm pretty sure it wasn't because I've seen a molt of my cleaner shrimp and it's pretty obvious. Unless the claws of the molts retain their realistic appearance, pretty much looked like the top half of the crab.

 

[webslinger]

They will fight to the death over a shell.

 

[cloak]

If your ever in doubt, just grab the remnants and give it a good whiff. You'll know if it's a molt or not, I guaranty you...

 

[thegrun]

You should always have a few empty shells slightly larger than the hermits that they can move into, otherwise they will fight each other for the shells.