Halloween Hermit Crab Carrying ??? On Back?

fatbabyy

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Hi guys!

Today I noticed that my Halloween Hermit seems to have another, smaller shell on top of it's own. When I stared long enough little black legs started moving beneath it. My first thought was that its a baby hitching a ride on Mama until it's big enough. But can't seem to find any info on that being a normal situation. Any idea what this is? Not the best quality video but as you keep watching you can see little black (legs?) coming out beneath the (shell?).

I'm a newer reefer so any help is so appreciated! Who/what is this guy!?

 

KJ

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Look like limpet.
 
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fatbabyy

fatbabyy

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Look like limpet.

I just looked into those! The shell looks so similar. It's hard to see in this video but there are separate black little legs sticking out. Would that still be a Limpet?
 

KJ

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Welcome to R2R!!!
My advice to you would be to catch this hermit crab and remove the extra shell,just for peace of mind!
 
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fatbabyy

fatbabyy

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I was able to get a better pic, and when the crab walked by the glass saw a teeny tiny snail mouth lick the glass.

Seems to just be a baby snail catching a ride. That should be safe right?


e38065a21e72009ca045405ed7c9eb83.jpg
 

Crabs McJones

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Slipper limpet. They love hitchhiking on the backs of snails and hermit crab shells
 

Craigdoc

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Just to slightly disagree with crabs Mcjones I believe it to be a Hipponix sp. Or another name for it is a hoof snail, either way the same info applies as if it was a slipper snail
 
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fatbabyy

fatbabyy

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Just to slightly disagree with crabs Mcjones I believe it to be a Hipponix sp. Or another name for it is a hoof snail, either way the same info applies as if it was a slipper snail

Hoof Snail looks to be right! With the black head etc.

Would you suggest removing?
 

Craigdoc

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Hoof Snail looks to be right! With the black head etc.

Would you suggest removing?
Perfectly safe to leave, I've never seen one on a hermit before, there favourite thing to hitchhike on appears to be a conch, they must be the laziest snails around :)
 

stickyicky

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I was able to get a better pic, and when the crab walked by the glass saw a teeny tiny snail mouth lick the glass.

Seems to just be a baby snail catching a ride. That should be safe right?


e38065a21e72009ca045405ed7c9eb83.jpg
I have the exact same thing I just noticed it’s a small snail looks the exact same I’m thinking about catching the crab and removing it but want to look into it first
 

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