View Full Version : Hermit crab mating
kreblak
10-20-2003, 9:54 AM
Two of my scarlet hermit crabs won't leave each other alone. They are the two largest hermits in the tank, and they face off directly in each other's faces for extended periods of time. They stick their claws and legs in each other's shells, then they stop and go eat. This happens once every week or so (that I observe).
There are plenty of larger shells in the tank, if they need new homes, so all I can think is that they might be mating. Anyone know about this?
I've never heard of hermits mating in an aquarium, then again I haven't researched it much. But if they aren't trying to kill eachother, who knows... Anything's possible.
liquafaction
10-21-2003, 10:54 PM
from what I read, they do not mate. I have also read clowns are not bread in captivity?????? Who knows?
kreblak
10-22-2003, 8:07 AM
Well, clowns definitely breed in captivity. I don't know about hermits. Since I have posted this, one of the hermits involved in this behavoir has hidden away somewhere. Who knows? Not me...
mogurnda
10-22-2003, 8:17 AM
I keep meaning to look this up when I get a minute, but I haven't had a minute. Sorry.
bjcharity
03-18-2005, 1:15 AM
We have two larger crabs that have been doing the same thing but. The biggest pulled the other out of it's shell. We were scared they were fighting and took the big one away after prying him off the other one. He didn't want to let go.. We have been watching them all day because the biggest was displaying signs of aggression going after the other all day.
Any one ever had have any simular situation. We now have the biggest out of the tank and in a small container until we know for sure what is going on. We just don't want him to kill the other crab. Any opinions or advise would be greatly appreciated
LonersBlaze
03-18-2005, 1:38 AM
yay, hermit crab questions, my specialty...
yay marine hermit crabs have been known to mate in captivity, but it is rare for the zoea to live on and molt to the point where it finally resembles a hermit crab. (you know the whole filter and water quality thing).
Hermit crab mating is distinguished(sp?) by two hermit crabs aligning their bodiesso that the males spermataphores(sp?) enter the females genopores. to get her out, the male only rocks the shell, not violently. Usually u would hear rythmic shell tapping when they are actually mating.
Dangerdoll
03-18-2005, 8:16 AM
is there any links to this? This has really got me curious now...... I mean, how can there be so many of they don't do it in captivity? What is zoea?
LonersBlaze
03-18-2005, 6:48 PM
zoea are the early forms of hermit cabs after they hatch from their eggs. there have been records of zoea that have successfully lived on and eventually molted into a hermit crab.
Doll just to answer your question . They do just fine in the ocean but, impellar blades do a number on most of our baby, inverts fish etc. In f.w. you can cover the intake, use an airstone etc. The thing is with s.w. the larvae are really little and get sucked into the impellar no matter what you cover it with. As far as air stones etc. they can work but, you have to be very clean and they can be hard to feed. Some of them need a varied diet and some stuff we just can't get at the lfs. Also some of the crabs, shrimp and others are so small that they can get caught in the surface tension of the tank water.
Chris