Why do my hermits congregate at night?

[webdizzy]

Many of my hermit crabs, of which I have well over a dozen, congregate at the top of one of my rocks at night -- especially he smaller ones.. Is this for a "protection in numbers" strategy or what? Just curious if others see this behavior and wonder why they do it.

 

[Kataro]

Never seen that w/ mine.. I see some of mine pick their spot on my SPS and stays there til morning.

 

[MichaelBrock]

My blue-legged hermits have a favorite rock as well. They often congregate there in "great numbers" (upwards of a dozen or so on a rock only 4-5 inches long and by itself on the sand bed). They seem to be feeding on it but there is no algae on it. Maybe some particular mineral they're after? No idea really.

 

[webdizzy]

My blue-legged hermits have a favorite rock as well.

That's what mine are -- blue-legged hermits. Do yours just do it at night?

 

[lurchw00t]

They are planning an escape or your demise.

 

[jbell370]

Mine hang out together at night, I only have a couple red leg and a couple blue leg, but they all meet up around 1/2 hour before lights out. I was thinking of taking one out and placing him in the sump for a few days then return him and see if he goes back.

 

[aixelsyd18]

I see I'm not the only one that has noticed that. I just assumed this was normal behavior to not be in the open when the slept but I'm hoping somebody knows the answer.

 

[webdizzy]

I just assumed this was normal behavior to not be in the open when the slept but I'm hoping somebody knows the answer.

That's the only thing I could guess. Just wondered if I was right. Although they don't appear to ever really "sleep!"

 

[gweston]

If I'd have a guess... maybe they are meeting at the hermit version of the Pub for a pint of ale and a chat?

"Why Joe, that was some great detritus today over on ridge rock eh?"
"Ayawp"

 

[rekn]

its perfectly natural behavior. in fact, if they arent doing this at night and you see them moving around and such during the day they are starving.


on certain beaches in the FL keys they congregate into i would say 100k+ animals

 

[webdizzy]

its perfectly natural behavior. in fact, if they arent doing this at night and you see them moving around and such during the day they are starving.


on certain beaches in the FL keys they congregate into i would say 100k+ animals

Interesting. Thanks for the info!

 

[Lolas_boy]

So if blue legs ARE moving around during the day they are starving?

 

[Kates]

I have the same question as Lolas_boy, do you mean if you see the hermits moving around during the day and not congregating at night that means they are starving?

 

[AJSTITAN14]

Mine are clearly playing Rock Band.

 

[rekn]

usually thats what it means. most of the time. when i lived in the keys i spent alot of time studying them and 1 or maybe 2 would leave the group during the day.

 

[SurrealSerenity]

My hermit crabs seem to have a buddy system heh. They don't seem to congregate much but I rarely see a loner.

 

[onepoorreefer]

The only time I see mine do that is when there is food up there or they are playing king of the rock