Hermit Crab shells turning white

Nem0

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Messages
402
Reaction score
167
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I've noticed that within the past few weeks many of my hermit crab's shells are turning white. Specifically near the end of the shell (the pointy part). Googling told me it might due to a lack of ALK or CA (i don't have a test kit, I'm running a FOWLR tank) but I use IO reef crystal salt which has a decent amount of both in the salt. Moreover, the ends seem to have become less pointy than when they initially started. Any ideas?

0-3.jpeg
0.jpeg
0-2.jpeg


shell used to be the same color as the rest

0-1.jpeg
 

Reefer Reboot

F.V.P.!
View Badges
Joined
Jan 31, 2018
Messages
2,648
Reaction score
3,426
Location
Irvine, Ca.
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Over 24 hours and no one has answered? Okay, here's the scoop. Hermit crabs don't grow shells, they just "move in" to the empty ones. As they drag them around the shells wear down. That's why the pointy ends are turning white. As the hermit crabs grow they will need a selection of bigger shells to move into. Enjoy!
 
OP
OP
Nem0

Nem0

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Messages
402
Reaction score
167
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
okay great!!! good to know nothing is wrong :)
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

  • 100% live rock + bagged sand

    Votes: 37 27.4%
  • 100% dry rock + 100% live sand

    Votes: 46 34.1%
  • 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand

    Votes: 30 22.2%
  • 75% live rock, 25% live sand

    Votes: 12 8.9%
  • 25% live rock, 75% live sand

    Votes: 10 7.4%
Back
Top