Red Legged Hermit Crabs

[NOTORIOUS LEE]

Hi,

I have just supplied 3 new shells for my red legged hermit crab for when he out grows his current shell but how often do hermits change shells & is it essential that I place the new empty shells on their back to make it easier for the hermit to climb into or does it not really matter?

Also, can you mix red legged & blue legged hermits?

Thanks

[mjsandbe]

There are a rather large # of differant hermits in the hobby. I have seen standard blue, red, scarlet, also large neon blue, ...etc.

With my scarlet hermits I do not really worry about shells, over the years I have built up a number of empty ones in the tank. They will pick what they want when they want it.

For the neon blue hermit I had(golf ball size) I bought several larger shells and placed them in the open on the sand bed were they would not be burried with sand. Over the years I had him he switched shell on his own, seemingly more for his own taste than size.

[Stanfill Reef]

We had some blue leg hermits. One looked like he couldn't fit into his shell, so we put a few old snail shells in the corner of the tank. He found the new shells in about 1/2 hour and exchanged. Our other hermits have investigated the replacement shells, but none have traded up yet.

[NOTORIOUS LEE]

Can you mix blue legged & red legged crabs though?

[reefBoyDc]

I have a mix and they seems ok.

I have one little blue legged sucker who - i guess - coulnd't find a shell, so he decided to house himself in what looks to be a piece of crab leg! I'd post a pic, but i can't find him.

Looks like they go in just about anything. Since then though, I've gotten some spare shells.

[NOTORIOUS LEE]

Thanks reefboy.

I wouldn't mind seeing some pics when you find him.