Can You Add Blue Leg Hermit Crabs Before Your Cycle?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Adding live blue legged hermits will not do much to kick off your cycle . If you add well-cured Live Rock from an lfs along with your sand and water, you probably won't have or need to have much of an initial cycle, and you should be able to add a few hardy inhabitants in short order.

Do blue leg hermit crabs need new shells?

Some love to swap shells just to have something new on their backs . However, the main reason would be the crab is growing and needs a larger shell. My research indicates that if there aren't any available the crab will be forced to take one from another crab or from .

Can you mix red and blue legged hermit crabs?

becuase there is such a disparity in shell size, they will do fine . As stated above, however, they tend to be oportunistic omnivores, so keep plenty of extra shells around and make sure they are well fed! I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter!

How do blue leg hermit crabs mate?

Blue legged mates when they are partially out of their shells , and the date of mating is spontaneous. The Clibanarius tricolor reproduce by spawning, which means the female lays her eggs in the water, and the male will release his sperm so that the eggs will be fertilized.

Can hermit crabs tolerate ammonia?

With hermits you can put them in a bowl of SW for a week or so until ammonia levels drop . They really don't need too much room. Most members of the clean-up crew can take some ammonia as they tend to feed on decomposing material in their normal habitat.

Are hermit crabs sensitive to nitrates?

Hermits should not be effected by nitrates at 80 , however having said that you probably need to see why they are that high and to try and bring them down a bit with some water changes.

Do red legged hermit crabs eat coral?

Hermits will often go to new frags to eat any algae or other food they bring in with them. It can annoy corals but the hermits will only eat the coral itself if it's dying .

How big do Scarlet hermit crabs get?

Despite their large appetites and constant feeding habits, the Scarlet Reef only grows to an adult size of 1-1/2′′” in length .

Are hermit crabs blue?

Full disclaimer here. The Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab is an ideal addition to any saltwater aquarium. These little guys will stand out in your aquarium with their bright blue legs .

Do blue legged hermit crabs need air?

Hermit crabs can't breathe air and they will drown in water, so the best way to maintain humidity is to provide an ideal enclosure. These include aquariums and marine terrariums that are strong enough to hold wet sand with covers that allow some ventilation and keep the crabs and humidity in.

What is the largest hermit crab?

Coconut crabs are the largest species of hermit crabs in the world. The world's largest hermit crab is the coconut crab. These giants can reach 40 inches long and weigh 10 pounds! They get their name because they eat coconuts, using their strong pincher to crush the coconut shells.

How long do blue leg hermits live?

While they will climb over anything in the aquarium, they are reef safe and do not disturb corals. This may cause them to close temporarily. Crabs such as blue-legged hermit crabs are capable of living for up to 30 years in the wild . In an aquarium, however, they only last for an average of two to three years.

Do blue legged hermit crabs molt?

Because it's probably a molt . It does look like a real life hermit, but it's 90% of the time just its old “skin” like the one you see here.

Do blue legged hermit crabs eat hair algae?

It eats various types of algae, including green hair algae and cyanobacteria , along with leftover food and other debris.

Do blue leg hermit crabs eat coral?

Yes, Some hermits will eat coral . Reef hermit crabs are primarily detritivores, meaning they eat bits of dead or decaying matter they find on the coral reef. Other species are algae eaters and are considered desirable in marine aquariums for this reason.

Do crabs produce ammonia?

The majority of crabs preserve ammonotely regardless of their habitat , which varies from extreme hypersaline to freshwater aquatic environments, and ranges from transient air exposure to obligate air breathing.

Will clean up crew lower nitrates?

It seems so ironic that a clean-up crew can help keep your nitrates and phosphates down, but they are sensitive to high nitrates . I'm probably missing a few, but those are the big ones. A clean up crew is important, but hermit crabs don't eat nitrates.

Can you mix hermit crab species?

Can Different Species of Hermit Crabs Live Together? Any combination can usually live together, assuming they are all land or water dwellers . Always operate a ‘buddy system' of two of each species as this will help all the hermit crabs feel comfortable and reduce bullying.

How many hermit crabs can you have in a tank?

The size will determine how many crabs you can keep. An average tank, about 90cm long, will comfortably house around 15 hermit crabs . They are a social animal, preferring the company of other hermit crabs and will live happily in colonies.

Are Blue hermit crab reef safe?

The Blue Leg Hermit Crab can grow large enough to inhabit a one and a half inch shell, and does well in groups. While they are considered reef safe , they may attack snails for their shells, having extra empty hermit shells available for them can reduce this behavior.

How big do red leg hermit crabs get?

Synonyms None Distribution Caribbean Sexual Dimorphism Unknown Maximum Size Leg span 3.8cm (1.5”) Water Parameters SG: 1.020-1.025, pH: 8.1-8.4

How long do red legged hermit crabs live?

Valuable Member. If the wild hermit crab is fortunate enough to live his life in his natural habitat, he can live up to 30 years . A crab in captivity may have a much shorter life, not even reaching 1 year. However, with proper care, your crab can live up to 20 years.

How do I know what kind of hermit crab I have?

They usually have deep purple or brown legs with a little orange or red, as well as a tan head, often with a dark spot on it . They also have round eyes, distinguishing them from the Ecuadorian crabs whose eyes are more elongated. Additionally, their claw is very large and dark purple, normally with a light-colored tip.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.