Crab out of shell hiding in rock crevices?

[RolandosNanoReef]

Has anyone ever had a crab out of its shell because it possibly out grew it and decided to just live within your rocks crevices?

Today I was redoing my aquascape. While inspecting the rocks for any possible bristle worms. I found a pretty big crab hiding in my rock. About 1-1/2” in size and just chillin in there.

i wasn’t sure if to try to remove him or leave in there. So I went to my LFS and bought a variety of big shells to hope he comes out and finds a new home.

 

[reef lover]

Are we positive its a hermit and not some unwanted hitchhikers??

 

[RolandosNanoReef]

Are we positive its a hermit and not some unwanted hitchhikers??

Oh I’m 100% positive it’s a red scarlet hermit.

 

[LadyMac]

I’m not sure with marines but land hermits will only leave a shell if it’s too small, stressed or shell jacking. It usually proves fatal to the crab. If you can, get some shells and lay them close to where you saw him at, because his abdomen will be a very easy tasty snack for other things, especially when he molts.

 

[sfin52]

I’m not sure with marines but land hermits will only leave a shell if it’s too small, stressed or shell jacking. It usually proves fatal to the crab. If you can, get some shells and lay them close to where you saw him at, because his abdomen will be a very easy tasty snack for other things, especially when he molts.

They will leave the shell to molt as well

 

[Larry208]

Has anyone ever had a crab out of its shell because it possibly out grew it and decided to just live within your rocks crevices?

Today I was redoing my aquascape. While inspecting the rocks for any possible bristle worms. I found a pretty big crab hiding in my rock. About 1-1/2” in size and just chillin in there.

i wasn’t sure if to try to remove him or leave in there. So I went to my LFS and bought a variety of big shells to hope he comes out and finds a new home.

I would give him a few days and ge will find one to his liking. Might try a few out first but will find one that suits him. I have one in mine that pick one that was way to big, and eventually came back to it when had grown large enough to be able to move it around.

 

[Fishy212]

He’s definitely looking for a new home. Hermits come out of their shells when they molt. You can order a larger assortment of shells online or from LFS.

 

[RolandosNanoReef]

I’m not sure with marines but land hermits will only leave a shell if it’s too small, stressed or shell jacking. It usually proves fatal to the crab. If you can, get some shells and lay them close to where you saw him at, because his abdomen will be a very easy tasty snack for other things, especially when he molts.

Yeah I bought a few pieces in different sizes and laid them out in front of the rock. Hopefully he comes out.

 

[KrisReef]

Some hermits are empty shell species specific, meaning they like a particular species of empty shell. Not sure it this is true for your particular hermit crab?

Otherwise, it might be evolving into a Naturist situation?