Crab eating crab

[Bob Parkins]

I got my first shipment of Scarlet hermits and emerald crabs. I know they
will occasionally molt and have been told they will look like a dead crab,
so I have been keeping an eye out for this. I found one of my hermits on a
rock without a shell.... the back end looked long and translucent-like. I
wasn't sure if it came out to die or if this was the infamous molt. Next
thing I know an emerald was snacking on it... looked like it was eating
flesh. My guess is it was dead and being eaten. Now I am concerned about
all my others... they are all of a sudden difficult to find. I find legs or
pinchers here and there and say a little prayer for my little buddies. What
do you guys think is happening? Does anyone have a pick of a molt and
hermit out of its shell?

[David Young]

Do you have extra, larger shells in the tank for them to go to when they
grow? If they get too big for the shells they're in they suffocate. Mine
seem to switch several times for a few months and then slow down after that.
David Young
"Bob Parkins" > wrote in message
link.net...
> I got my first shipment of Scarlet hermits and emerald crabs. I know they
> will occasionally molt and have been told they will look like a dead crab,
> so I have been keeping an eye out for this. I found one of my hermits on
a
> rock without a shell.... the back end looked long and translucent-like. I
> wasn't sure if it came out to die or if this was the infamous molt. Next
> thing I know an emerald was snacking on it... looked like it was eating
> flesh. My guess is it was dead and being eaten. Now I am concerned about
> all my others... they are all of a sudden difficult to find. I find legs
or
> pinchers here and there and say a little prayer for my little buddies.
What
> do you guys think is happening? Does anyone have a pick of a molt and
> hermit out of its shell?
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Odds are it was a molt. And when you feed your tank, start counting when
activity peaks. Or check at night with a flashlight when they are busiest.

Marc


Bob Parkins wrote:

> I got my first shipment of Scarlet hermits and emerald crabs. I know they
> will occasionally molt and have been told they will look like a dead crab,
> so I have been keeping an eye out for this. I found one of my hermits on a
> rock without a shell.... the back end looked long and translucent-like. I
> wasn't sure if it came out to die or if this was the infamous molt. Next
> thing I know an emerald was snacking on it... looked like it was eating
> flesh. My guess is it was dead and being eaten. Now I am concerned about
> all my others... they are all of a sudden difficult to find. I find legs or
> pinchers here and there and say a little prayer for my little buddies. What
> do you guys think is happening? Does anyone have a pick of a molt and
> hermit out of its shell?

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[TomW]

Where do you get extra empty shells?

[Phil O'Connor]

when i put in several blue leg and scarlet hermits, the games began. Many
attacked each other.

I remember on one occaision, a hermit was attacking another, had its pinchers
extended into his foes shell, thrashing and strangling him so hard their shells
were smacking together. I tried to intervene, during which the victim fled his
shell and ran butt naked across the sand for cover amongst the rocks, his body
was already visisbly torn at this point. I know they're just hermit crabs, but
I'm a softie, still feel bad for them. I was so angered at the attacker,
I took him out and threw him in my other tank with my humu trigger, so he can
get a taste of his own medicine.

Bob Parkins wrote:

> I got my first shipment of Scarlet hermits and emerald crabs. I know they
> will occasionally molt and have been told they will look like a dead crab,
> so I have been keeping an eye out for this. I found one of my hermits on a
> rock without a shell.... the back end looked long and translucent-like. I
> wasn't sure if it came out to die or if this was the infamous molt. Next
> thing I know an emerald was snacking on it... looked like it was eating
> flesh. My guess is it was dead and being eaten. Now I am concerned about
> all my others... they are all of a sudden difficult to find. I find legs or
> pinchers here and there and say a little prayer for my little buddies. What
> do you guys think is happening? Does anyone have a pick of a molt and
> hermit out of its shell?

[CapFusion]

The extra shell from other crab like emerald crap or any other crab that
molted. Or you can get some shell from other Reefer and or the ocean.

Mostly all my extra shell from ex-owner like emerald crab and other from
same tank. Hermit use any shell, even the snail shell. It will use whever
shell that is big enough or comfortable.

CapFusion,...


"TomW" > wrote in message
...
> Where do you get extra empty shells?
>
>

[Bob Parkins]

Emerald!? Really!?
They don't have shells. u are saying they live inside their molt???

CapFusion > wrote in message
...
> The extra shell from other crab like emerald crap or any other crab that
> molted. Or you can get some shell from other Reefer and or the ocean.
>
> Mostly all my extra shell from ex-owner like emerald crab and other from
> same tank. Hermit use any shell, even the snail shell. It will use whever
> shell that is big enough or comfortable.
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>
> "TomW" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Where do you get extra empty shells?
> >
> >
>
>
>

[Bob Parkins]

Sould I be throwing in flake food now?
I have been "raking" out diatoms like crazy! Why? I use a 5stage RO/DI...
how do Silicates get in !!??

Marc Levenson > wrote in message
...
> Odds are it was a molt. And when you feed your tank, start counting when
> activity peaks. Or check at night with a flashlight when they are
busiest.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Bob Parkins wrote:
>
> > I got my first shipment of Scarlet hermits and emerald crabs. I know
they
> > will occasionally molt and have been told they will look like a dead
crab,
> > so I have been keeping an eye out for this. I found one of my hermits
on a
> > rock without a shell.... the back end looked long and translucent-like.
I
> > wasn't sure if it came out to die or if this was the infamous molt.
Next
> > thing I know an emerald was snacking on it... looked like it was eating
> > flesh. My guess is it was dead and being eaten. Now I am concerned
about
> > all my others... they are all of a sudden difficult to find. I find
legs or
> > pinchers here and there and say a little prayer for my little buddies.
What
> > do you guys think is happening? Does anyone have a pick of a molt and
> > hermit out of its shell?
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>
>

[Bob Parkins]

I was so angered at the attacker,
> I took him out and threw him in my other tank with my humu trigger, so he
can
> get a taste of his own medicine.


hehehe... that's funny. Sorry for your little crab though.

[CapFusion]

"Bob Parkins" > wrote in message
link.net...
> Emerald!? Really!?
> They don't have shells. u are saying they live inside their molt???
Any crab or whatever use shell before or dead crab or whatever that once
occupy is no longer use it. Heck, I seen them using anything that will cover
their body and hide in it.

CapFusion,...

[Marc Levenson]

Let the diatom bloom finish. It is a food source for your growing bacteria,
another part of a natural cycle in a new tank. Silicates is not an issue with
your setup. (Don't forget, my DSB is silica sand and I'm not having any
problems.

After a few weeks, just siphon out what is unsightly, and it won't be back.

You don't need to buy replacement shells yet, but you can find more at the LFS
in baggies for a few dollars. You'll need them in a few months, I'd guess.

Marc


Bob Parkins wrote:

> Sould I be throwing in flake food now?
> I have been "raking" out diatoms like crazy! Why? I use a 5stage RO/DI...
> how do Silicates get in !!??
>
> Marc Levenson > wrote in message
> ...
> > Odds are it was a molt. And when you feed your tank, start counting when
> > activity peaks. Or check at night with a flashlight when they are
> busiest.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Bob Parkins wrote:
> >
> > > I got my first shipment of Scarlet hermits and emerald crabs. I know
> they
> > > will occasionally molt and have been told they will look like a dead
> crab,
> > > so I have been keeping an eye out for this. I found one of my hermits
> on a
> > > rock without a shell.... the back end looked long and translucent-like.
> I
> > > wasn't sure if it came out to die or if this was the infamous molt.
> Next
> > > thing I know an emerald was snacking on it... looked like it was eating
> > > flesh. My guess is it was dead and being eaten. Now I am concerned
> about
> > > all my others... they are all of a sudden difficult to find. I find
> legs or
> > > pinchers here and there and say a little prayer for my little buddies.
> What
> > > do you guys think is happening? Does anyone have a pick of a molt and
> > > hermit out of its shell?
> >
> > --
> > Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> >
> >
> >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Bob Parkins]

Amazing... I never knew that.

CapFusion > wrote in message
...
>
> "Bob Parkins" > wrote in message
> link.net...
> > Emerald!? Really!?
> > They don't have shells. u are saying they live inside their molt???
> Any crab or whatever use shell before or dead crab or whatever that once
> occupy is no longer use it. Heck, I seen them using anything that will
cover
> their body and hide in it.
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>
>

[Bob Parkins]

Thanks Marc

Marc Levenson > wrote in message
...
> Let the diatom bloom finish. It is a food source for your growing
bacteria,
> another part of a natural cycle in a new tank. Silicates is not an issue
with
> your setup. (Don't forget, my DSB is silica sand and I'm not having any
> problems.
>
> After a few weeks, just siphon out what is unsightly, and it won't be
back.
>
> You don't need to buy replacement shells yet, but you can find more at the
LFS
> in baggies for a few dollars. You'll need them in a few months, I'd
guess.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Bob Parkins wrote:
>
> > Sould I be throwing in flake food now?
> > I have been "raking" out diatoms like crazy! Why? I use a 5stage
RO/DI...
> > how do Silicates get in !!??
> >
> > Marc Levenson > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Odds are it was a molt. And when you feed your tank, start counting
when
> > > activity peaks. Or check at night with a flashlight when they are
> > busiest.
> > >
> > > Marc
> > >
> > >
> > > Bob Parkins wrote:
> > >
> > > > I got my first shipment of Scarlet hermits and emerald crabs. I
know
> > they
> > > > will occasionally molt and have been told they will look like a dead
> > crab,
> > > > so I have been keeping an eye out for this. I found one of my
hermits
> > on a
> > > > rock without a shell.... the back end looked long and
translucent-like.
> > I
> > > > wasn't sure if it came out to die or if this was the infamous molt.
> > Next
> > > > thing I know an emerald was snacking on it... looked like it was
eating
> > > > flesh. My guess is it was dead and being eaten. Now I am concerned
> > about
> > > > all my others... they are all of a sudden difficult to find. I find
> > legs or
> > > > pinchers here and there and say a little prayer for my little
buddies.
> > What
> > > > do you guys think is happening? Does anyone have a pick of a molt
and
> > > > hermit out of its shell?
> > >
> > > --
> > > Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Marco Qualizza]

In article >, says...
> Let the diatom bloom finish. It is a food source for your growing bacteria,
> another part of a natural cycle in a new tank. Silicates is not an issue with
> your setup. (Don't forget, my DSB is silica sand and I'm not having any
> problems.

Marc, I've been thinking about that last statement... At what pH does
silica sand dissolve? I'm asking because if it's at a point much more
acidic then the 8.3 or so you probably have your tank at, then, well,
having a silica sand DSB doesn't really prove anything...

:-) Like I said, just wondering. :-)


--
7y FW -- 33g & 55g
100 gallon reef-ready air tank. (Converting to reef)

[Marc Levenson]

I don't have all the answers on that one, Marco. I'm aware that aragonite based
sand buffers the calcium nicely, where silica sand can't. And that silica can be a
source of problems when it comes to algae. However, I've got no algae issues, and
when I test for silica (Salifert), I'm getting a 0 reading.

Maybe my sand isn't silica either? hehehehe It was labeled "Beach Sand."

Marc


Marco Qualizza wrote:

> In article >, says...
> > Let the diatom bloom finish. It is a food source for your growing bacteria,
> > another part of a natural cycle in a new tank. Silicates is not an issue with
> > your setup. (Don't forget, my DSB is silica sand and I'm not having any
> > problems.
>
> Marc, I've been thinking about that last statement... At what pH does
> silica sand dissolve? I'm asking because if it's at a point much more
> acidic then the 8.3 or so you probably have your tank at, then, well,
> having a silica sand DSB doesn't really prove anything...
>
> :-) Like I said, just wondering. :-)
>
> --
> 7y FW -- 33g & 55g
> 100 gallon reef-ready air tank. (Converting to reef)

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Marco Qualizza]

In article >, says...
> I don't have all the answers on that one, Marco. I'm aware that aragonite based
> sand buffers the calcium nicely, where silica sand can't. And that silica can be a
> source of problems when it comes to algae. However, I've got no algae issues, and
> when I test for silica (Salifert), I'm getting a 0 reading.
>
> Maybe my sand isn't silica either? hehehehe It was labeled "Beach Sand."

*grin* According to Horatio, beach sand is silica. (yeah, big "CSI:
Miami" fan here. :-) )

There are so many variables that who can tell? (Including "algae is
only a problem if it's spreading faster than it's being consumed"...)

>
> Marc
>
>
> Marco Qualizza wrote:
>
> > In article >, says...
> > > Let the diatom bloom finish. It is a food source for your growing bacteria,
> > > another part of a natural cycle in a new tank. Silicates is not an issue with
> > > your setup. (Don't forget, my DSB is silica sand and I'm not having any
> > > problems.
> >
> > Marc, I've been thinking about that last statement... At what pH does
> > silica sand dissolve? I'm asking because if it's at a point much more
> > acidic then the 8.3 or so you probably have your tank at, then, well,
> > having a silica sand DSB doesn't really prove anything...
> >
> > :-) Like I said, just wondering. :-)
> >
> > --
> > 7y FW -- 33g & 55g
> > 100 gallon reef-ready air tank. (Converting to reef)
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>
>

--
7y FW -- 33g & 55g
100 gallon reef-ready air tank. (Converting to reef)

[CapFusion]

> > Maybe my sand isn't silica either? hehehehe It was labeled "Beach
Sand."
>
> *grin* According to Horatio, beach sand is silica. (yeah, big "CSI:
> Miami" fan here. :-) )


Which Silica or Aragonite base in the tank is good regarding "Alage"? That I
do not really know but since Aragonite seem to be the first choice. The
basic idea regarding "Algae" is the source it feeding on. When the substrate
size is fine size comparable to Aragonite, normally should be OK. The reason
for very fine size substrate is to not trapping any unwanted thing like fish
poop, dead critter, uneaten meat and other thing. Some critter that live in
those substrate will be easily move around and stir it to release any small
tiny gas bobble that is trap in the sand. Large particle sand then to trap
thing and get stay trap until you either manually distrub it or vacuum it.
With large size sand, critter tend to have harder time moving around in it
sand. This is what I see IME when come to substrate.


>
> There are so many variables that who can tell? (Including "algae is
> only a problem if it's spreading faster than it's being consumed"...)
>


As for "Alage" concern, anything that is not consume or get decay, it will
be a food source to future or current algae in your tank. It does not really
matter if you have fine or big size sand you have or type of sand (include
aragonite). Your tank will have "Algae" growing. The only thing to prevent
"Algae" break is know what it need to grow in the first place.

CapFusion,...