Hermit Crab ID please!

[jabberjaw]

hey everybody,
this guy has been wreaking havoc in my tank for a good month now, and is pretty much the ruler of the bottom of my tank.

Now, just a couple questions:
1 - what species of hermit crab is this fella?
2 - how big will he grow? (just wondering if I'll need to get some bigger shells for him eventually - he is currently about 3inches across his front - from leg to leg)

thanks!

 

[Charlesr1958]

Possibly a Dardanus megistus. Probably a good idea to offer it a variety of empty shells.

Chuck

 

[jabberjaw]

thanks Chuck,
I think thats the one

 

[I Ate A Cake]

From what I have read, that kind is not reef safe.

I've actually seen two at my LFS that are bigger than a baseball... something to think about.

 

[jabberjaw]

yeah with his shell he's about the size of a fist
I kinda gathered when I saw him in my lfs in a tank by himself that he wasnt reef-safe... but I'm happy to live with that risk in my tank.
I feed him every second day so he's always got a constant food supply, so hopefully that will keep him happy & minimise his need to go hunting for other food sources.

 

[peasofme]

i think godzilla killed one of those.