Halloween Hermits

[dabgood21]

Sorry for posting here, I could have sworn there was an Inverts or Critters Forum to post in but I don't see it.

Anyway, does anyone have experience with Halloween Hermits? I bought two and have had them in my tank for 4 days now. One of them is moving around fine doing his thing while the other has jammed itself into a tight spot and has been just sitting there for days. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been eating since it hasn't moved and I'm worried it may die.

Any advice?

Thanks

 

[D1J8Z]

try looking at night, most hermits dont do too much moving during the day. The spot your hermit is in might just be his safe spot during the day.

 

[jaa1456]

From what I hear halloween hermits can get pretty big.

 

[JonnyIce]

i've had a halloween hermit for about two years and he moves around alot! the only time they are hiding/stationary is after they have molted, so that's a possibility.

 

[dabgood21]

Thanks for the info. The hermit that's hiding, if it's moving around at night, that would be pretty funny if it kept wedging itself back into the same spot. I don't know how that's possible with so much rock. I'm pretty sure it hasn't left that spot for a few days now. I just hope it doesn't starve. I feel like I should move it myself, just to make sure it's not stuck

And they do get kinda big, about 2 inches. The most trouble I've had with them so far is finding large enough triton shells for when they need a bigger house. Hard to find at a local LFS and not worth paying for w/ crazy S&H prices. I have one big one, need one more.

 

[JonnyIce]

mine took out a large turbo snail for his lol

 

[masterswimmer]

Thanks for the info. The hermit that's hiding, if it's moving around at night, that would be pretty funny if it kept wedging itself back into the same spot. I don't know how that's possible with so much rock. I'm pretty sure it hasn't left that spot for a few days now. I just hope it doesn't starve. I feel like I should move it myself, just to make sure it's not stuck

And they do get kinda big, about 2 inches. The most trouble I've had with them so far is finding large enough triton shells for when they need a bigger house. Hard to find at a local LFS and not worth paying for w/ crazy S&H prices. I have one big one, need one more.

Go to a hobby or craft store, most have individual or bags of empty shells for craft projects Just make sure to clean them very well. I normally boil them.

Russ

 

[noobzy]

Thanks for the info. The hermit that's hiding, if it's moving around at night, that would be pretty funny if it kept wedging itself back into the same spot. I don't know how that's possible with so much rock. I'm pretty sure it hasn't left that spot for a few days now. I just hope it doesn't starve. I feel like I should move it myself, just to make sure it's not stuck

And they do get kinda big, about 2 inches. The most trouble I've had with them so far is finding large enough triton shells for when they need a bigger house. Hard to find at a local LFS and not worth paying for w/ crazy S&H prices. I have one big one, need one more.

I've kept a Halloween Hermit for a few months now. Sitting in one place is not at all unheard of; as mentioned, they spend a lot of time hiding after a molt (my little fella spent all of Sunday hiding in his shell in the exact same spot after a Saturday molt - a few Ceriths made themselves comfortable at the shell opening). My hermit also has "favorite spots" that he tends to sit in, usually wedged inside the rock-work in shadow. He moves at night, but it might seem that he doesn't go anywhere since he returns to the same spot and stands there all day.

For shells, I got a nicely sized bag (20 shells?) at Michael's for about $5-10 after finding out that Petco charges something like $4/shell. WTF, Petco? Anyhow, he's upgraded twice so far, but he still hasn't gotten big enough for the largest of the bunch. If you just want one or two and happen to be around Chelsea during the week, I'd be happy to give you a few.

Of my three hermits, I see my Halloween eat the least (my reef hermit RUNS, literally, the second that food is introduced to the tank... not necessarily in the direction of the food, but he eventually finds it ). I don't know for certain that yours is eating, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he's sneaking some midnight snacks.

 

[dabgood21]

Thanks Noobzy. I'm no where near Chelsea right now but the tip to buy shells at a crafts store is great. Thanks to all for the info

 

[ulmo]

Would you consider these crabs as being reef safe?