Land hermits (strawberry hermits)

[FuEl]

Hi guys...recently I've been placed to take care of strawberry land hermit crabs. Supposedly they only need saltwater once a month (according to websites) but I provided them with a shallow pool of seawater at the end of the tub. They have mostly land area with sand. Before I took over, crabs were dying due to failure to moult. After I took over, no matter what I did they still died due to failing to moult properly. I've already dusted calcium powder on their food but it does not seem to help. Today I saw one of the larger hermits walking around without its shell...I know this is not normal behavior. There are plenty of shells in the enclosure so its not an issue with shells. I'm feeding them fresh greens and fruits..they don't like meaty foods but will take boiled egg.

Anyone who has kept land hermits before could maybe help me out here? I don't wish to kill anymore..

[Kelmen]

For the sake of the hermit, hurry go post a thread on Dr Ron subforum.

Then you can share any positive info for us.

GL

[Maxstar81]

Hey man, the only time i saw my hermit w/o a shell ....

Next day die.

Hope you have better exp.

[Dazza]

death when molting .... maybe a deficiency in iodine?

[FuEl]

Thanks Kelmen for your advise..I have posted in ReefCentral.

Maxstar81...it was leaning out of its shell yesterday. Today it was walking around ######. Looks quite strong though..hope it does'nt die..

[Kelmen]

Yoh, bro. Read your thread in Dr Ron site. Seems like some good feedback from other too.

So, how your "temp" pets now doing?

You really feed them cat\dog food? So "good-live" nen 好命 !

Do you really work out the 6" sand bed? doesn't sounds feasible too.

[FuEl]

Yea..washed everything and gave them 6" of sand. Just don't want more to die. As for the food I don't think I will use dog food or cat food. I'll stick to fresh veggie, fruits, Calcium powder and maybe raw chicken meat.

[Bong]

Hey! Can I check if it is possible to get in SG? Thanks!

[FuEl]

Hey! Can I check if it is possible to get in SG? Thanks!

Not sure about that. It's available in the States though. So I suppose you can get them if people in Sg are willing to go through the trouble to bring them in. They originate from Great Barrier Reef area and if I don't remember wrongly they have set a very strict limit on such exports.

[FuEl]

Sad to announce the death of another hermit. This time due to unexpected and unbelievable events. Just yesterday I had another hermit go into molting without burying itself in the extra mound of sand I provided it with. I read on www.hermit-crab.com that other crabs would be attracted to molting individuals and attempt to eat their shed exoskeletons or even the crab itself. And so, I took the liberty of gently liftly the hermit without moving it too much and put it into a pail which I left in the main outdoor enclosure.

Today when I went down to check on it, I was pleasantly surprised as I saw it moving around happily with its exoskeleton all over the pail (more of legs and pieces). Then came the shock. There were 2 shells in the pail. I dug furiously through the sand and I found the remains of the hermit that was supposed to molt. It was torn to bits.

So here's what I think happened. The hermit smelled this molting individual that was in the pail. It scaled a vertical pail which was more than 1 ft by using the metal handle of the pail (less than 5mm thick), dropped into the pail. Then it started its feast. I still can't believe what happened..I'm still in shock and disbelief.

Sigh..never underestimate the intelligence and agility of a hermit crab, even a land one.

[Kelmen]

Sorry for you about the incident. At least you are more well prepared for next molthing event.

BTW, aren't strawberry hermit crab also live in our region? Maybe not selling through LFS.

[FuEl]

Sorry for you about the incident. At least you are more well prepared for next molthing event.

BTW, aren't strawberry hermit crab also live in our region? Maybe not selling through LFS.

Nope...originate from Australia. Those that are available overseas are all imported. No one breeds hermits for commercial purposes. Not worth the time and $ and the shells..

[Kelmen]

Hey, with time and efforts, you can "breed" them, then $$$ come....