Can hermit crabs climb out of the tank?

[huckjai]

Just started reefing, and enjoying it so far as it seems like something cool happens quite often.

Yesterday one of the crabs molted. And today I found one of my hermit's shell on the floor all dried up. My friend said that they can climb on the silicone?

Anyone ever have that happen?

 

[Gernader]

I actually saw my hermit crab climbed up on the silicone for like almost a foot, but luckily that sneaky crab could not make it to the top. So, I don’t know if it is common that they get out of the tank but I recommend you to put a lid on your tank if you don’t want to lose clean up crew or jumping fish.

 

[Peach02]

I sawn of mine climb up about 30cm in a corner one half acrylic the other glass, and it wasn't a small one ether. It couldn't escape even if it wanted to though as I have a glass lid. If you are worried about this I strongly suggest getting a lid

 

[nitrodude]

Heh. Funny you say this...just the other day I'm sitting by the tank in the living room and I hear a weird gurgling noise coming from the tank...so I go to investigate

Somehow. Someway. A hermit crab, not only climbed up and over the overflow but somehow managed to get to the top of my durso standpipe and his shell as blocking part of the hole making a gurgle.
No idea how he did it or why. But hes now in my acrylic tank-no more silicone to go rock climbing on.

 

[huckjai]

I actually saw my hermit crab climbed up on the silicone for like almost a foot, but luckily that sneaky crab could not make it to the top. So, I don’t know if it is common that they get out of the tank but I recommend you to put a lid on your tank if you don’t want to lose clean up crew or jumping fish.

I've got a lid that I need to put together. Been holding it off since I don't have fish in there yet,. But I guess now knowing crabs are escape artists would be a good reason.

 

[Kellie in CA]

Yup. On more than one occasion I have seen something out the corner of my eye only to find out it is a hermit running across the floor.

 

[Curtis Rose]

Hahahaha I can’t imagine this. I didn’t even know it was possible. Never heard of it either. Tho I would love to see it

 

[Peach02]

I was thinking about this some more today and being that hermit crabs need to have access to water and land to breed... I've seen eggs on one of my hermits with no land... Could they be looking for somewhere to lay their eggs but they can't find any in our tanks? Im no expert but the more I think about it the more sense it makes and it would explain why they are so determined

 

[chris k.]

I have found 1 on the floor a couple of times from my rimless tank. The cats like to play with them. Fortunately i found them before they died and got them back in the tank.

 

[Phycodurus]

i routinely inspect my hermits' shells. confiscated this last night:

joking aside, sorry to hear about the hermit's demise! ;Inpain

 

[Dine]

Snails will do it too. I have one crab who tries but stops 3/4 of the way up. One day he will make it