New home for hermits

jrue · 10-20-2001, 12:08 AM

As you may or may not know I have a lonley scarlett hermit(I plan on getting him some company if I can find some more). My qeuastion is when is he going to need a new shell and how much bigger does it need to be and how many choices should I provide?

One more thing, what is the post a poll fuction for and what does it do?

Alice · 10-20-2001, 01:56 AM

Hermits can be fairly choosey about new shells, it's funny watching them try to pick out a new "home." They'll turn it over and around and if it passes the first round of tests they may try it on for size. See if you can find one the same shape as the one it's wearing, but just in the next step or two larger. If the hole is too big they won't pick it as they could be too easily "shucked" out of it by something that wants to eat it!

You can use the poll feature to ask specific questions such as "Your choice in salt: Kent or Instant Ocean?" and then people can post the answers for tally as well as comment on the thread.

Alice

MontanaRocknReefer · 10-20-2001, 06:26 AM

Hi jrue!! You should provide the hermit with various size shells starting with a size just slightly larger that the shell the hermit is in now. Like Alice has stated they are fun to watch as they pick out their next shell for their new home.
They can grow quite fast if well fed and will change home more often as they grow. Johnny

eaglelox · 10-20-2001, 08:24 AM

im real new at reefing still and it all ready is my experince that no matter how big a selection you give the little guys they want the ones with snails in them.LOL. my 29 gal right now is a HOWLR ,hermits only with live rock.

Steve