Lazy scarlet hermit crab

[DanH]

It is common for a hermit crab to sit around for over 24hrs and not move. He's still alive as his eyes are still flickering about and he does jump back into his shell when I go near the glass, but he's just not moving around the tank. I put him in with one other a week ago and the other hermit is moving around the tank and seems to be doing well. I just checked by waters with the following results:

pH 8.0
sg 1.023
Nitrite 0.1
Nitrate 5-10
Ammonia 0.1

As my system is fairly new (7 weeks old) and is a nano (12g). I'm concerend that this fellow is about to die my system will crash. I also have a pyjama cardinal (2 weeks), two peppermints (1 week), a finger and xenai coral that are all thriving (both 1 week). I would have thought if things were going bad by corals would show the first sign. I'm new to this as I guess many of you have figured out. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't worry about the crab they are hardy lil buggers, he could be getting ready to moult his skin. The Xenia is a good indicator of water quality, and I would watch it. By the values you posted, I would be concerned with the ammonia and nitrite readings-your tank has not fully cycled so IMO don't add any more livestock until you get 0s on your tests.

 

[DanH]

Thanks Lawdawg

I added another three small pieces of LR (1,5lbs) to the tank last week. Already had 13lbs in there. Could this be the reason for the spike. Before I added the cardinal by readings for ammonia were 0.

I am thinking of adding one more fish but not for another two months.

 

[Anonymous]

Adding the LR could cause a spike yes, but remember nothing good happens fast in a reef tank! Patience (and money :lol: ) are the keys to sucess in this hobby. The beneficial bacteria take time to colonize, and if you overburden the tank to soon bad things happen.

 

[DanH]

Gutted - found him dead this morning. Strange because everything else seems to be doing so well. Could he have starved? There is hardly an algae in my tank. My other hermit had carried out some great stunt work to get to food. I think I may need to add a supplement. Any ideas?

 

[Anonymous]

Are you sure you "found" him, and not his shed skin?

 

[DanH]

I'm fairly sure it was, his claws were still red and one dopped off when I picked up the shell, his 'face' had lost its color.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm fairly sure it was, his claws were still red and one dopped off when I picked up the shell, his 'face' had lost its color.

Shed skins look remarkably like dead bodies. Somewhere here there is a post I made years ago when my ex thought a hermit crab I had died due to his shed skin lying around and as he tried to shake out any remains the crab poked his head out just before my ex flushed!

Is the shell empty? Do you have empty shells (to allow the crab to move at it grows) in the tank?