crab questions

[88 hatchback]

alright... so I've had 4 hermits since I got my tank running a while back...


and recently I noticed a crab body floating around my tank...

and I looked HARD... and could only find 3 shells (with crab inside) in the tank...


well low and behold.. I found the fourth crab this morning...


so here's my question... do crabs molt????


and I have one crab consistantly chasing the other crabs around....

he grabs them and humps?? them... rapidly bouncing up and down...

I think he's trying to pull them out of their shells....


but I've got extra shells laying around... why won't he take those??

thanks all!!

[oscar83]

yes crabs do molt. perhaps that one crab is just a jerk :confused:

[Catpicklesdog]

Agreed they do molt. And no matter how many shells you put in your tank, they will always go for the shell they like the best whether or not it is already occupied, that includes other crabs and snails!!!

[88 hatchback]

why do they kill the snail though??? lol... rhetorical... i know.

well... I've found all 4 now... thats the first time I've found a molted body... it was in perfect shape, had proper colored claws, legs and all! only thing that wasn't the right color was the body. it was lighter than everything else was.

I've got 4astrea snails cleaning the tank, I see one crab make his rounds everyday... stopping to perch on top of each snail for a few mins.... its kind of funny.





second question....

I've got 1 clown, cleaner shrimp, 4 hermits, 4 snails and mushroom corrals.... in a 14g Bio cube.

tank has been running for around 6months, everything is running nicely
having currently a feather duster EXPLOSION... they're everywhere!!! lol

I'm looking at getting a sandsifter for my tank.... what would be a best choice?

I'm also looking at getting a small anemone for my tank... something for my clown to host with. what would be a good choice?

hearty is good, colorful is good too!

what are my choices?


I know an anemone may be a bad choice for my tank given the size... but it needs more color... and more corrals


so, what can I add?

thanks all!!

yes, they ARE feather dusters. lol not apistasia

[Grins]

I'd sincerely skip the anemone in your tank. The most colorful ones especially just aren't appropriate in my opinion nor are they especially hardy or easy for new keepers.

If you want color and you're having success with mushrooms I'd recommend mushrooms of a contrasting color and zoas of contrasting colors as well.

If you give some information about your specs there may be some other ideas as well

[Boltster]

Yes along with molting, some are picky about what shell it will claim its new home. One of mine has twice moved into an empty murex shell that resembles a venus comb. It's only in there for looks. I have a very nice shell collection my uncle started for me about 30 years ago when he was in the Navy. This particular shell has a long spine (about 4 inches), moving away from the opening. It's really funny watching the hermit get stuck when he's moving around the rocks in it. By the next day it's abandoned. But he has tried twice, so there's someting he obviously likes.

[Catpicklesdog]

why do they kill the snail though??? lol... rhetorical... i know.

They kill the snail just because they fancy their shell!!

well... I've found all 4 now... thats the first time I've found a molted body... it was in perfect shape, had proper colored claws, legs and all! only thing that wasn't the right color was the body. it was lighter than everything else was.

Quite scary when your first see it. My first molt was hanging from the top of a dead sea fan I had in there!:eek3:

I've got 4astrea snails cleaning the tank, I see one crab make his rounds everyday... stopping to perch on top of each snail for a few mins.... its kind of funny.

It might be sizing up the shells:lipssealedsmilie:




second question....

I've got 1 clown, cleaner shrimp, 4 hermits, 4 snails and mushroom corrals.... in a 14g Bio cube.

tank has been running for around 6months, everything is running nicely
having currently a feather duster EXPLOSION... they're everywhere!!! lol

I'm looking at getting a sandsifter for my tank.... what would be a best choice?

I wouldn't recommend a sandsifter in a 14 gal as there isn't enough food for them and they tend to starve.

I'm also looking at getting a small anemone for my tank... something for my clown to host with. what would be a good choice?

Again I wouldn't recommend for a 14gal.

hearty is good, colorful is good too!

what are my choices?


I know an anemone may be a bad choice for my tank given the size... but it needs more color... and more corrals


so, what can I add?

I agree with Grins. Try some Zoas or mushrooms (or both)

thanks all!!

yes, they ARE feather dusters. lol not apistasia

Have some comments in red:grinyes: