Additions to tanks

[Harry]

I have added a dwarf hermit crab and a nerite snail to each tank. They are both brackish water dwellers. The dwarf hermit crabs are only about 1/4 inch in size and it is fascinating to watch them clean the gravel. Because they are so small, I don't think they will disrupt the environmental balance in the tank. And I have read that they coexist peacefully with the Opae.

[KenCotigirl]

Wow, a quarter inch. That is small. How many did you add? Again what size tank did you put them in? How many nirites?

[Harry]

One tank is about 3/4 gallon and the other two are 1 gallon each. These are dwarf hermit crabs, so they are tiny. I doubt you would notice them in the tank if they weren't dragging their shells around. I put one crab in each tank. I added several small shells, as I was advised that they like to change shells. I added one nerite to the small tank and two nerites to the larger tanks. For the most part, these snails don't readily reproduce in captivity (or so I was told).

[KenCotigirl]

I have had nerites for several years and they have not reproduced as far as i can tell. They do keep the algae on the glass undercontrol. If i start another tank which is very possible i may add one or two dwarf hermit crabs. As a child i remember finding hermits crabs on the beach after a storm. Brings back pleasent memories.

[Harry]

I ordered a few more dwarf hermit crabs, as they are so tiny. I only bought one per tank, as I was not sure of the size. Having seen how small they are, I ordered some more. They live in small shells, the size of the Maylasian trumpet snail or the small snails that Mustafa sells - and not the full grown snail but a mid-sized one.

[BostonJill]

I ordered a few more dwarf hermit crabs, as they are so tiny. I only bought one per tank, as I was not sure of the size. Having seen how small they are, I ordered some more. They live in small shells, the size of the Maylasian trumpet snail or the small snails that Mustafa sells - and not the full grown snail but a mid-sized one.

Do you know the exact species of dwarf hermit crab? Do you know how big they get when fully mature? Where did you order them from?
You could private message me since I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask that. I would love to add one to my five gallon tank as well as my tiny half gallon tank.

[Harry]

I sent you a message. I would add two dwarf hermits to the small tank and at least five (maybe to the five gallon. They are tiny and they stay tiny. And they work hard to keep the tank clean.

[KenCotigirl]

Harry do you know the specie name? My local fish store sells hermit crabs for the salt water people. An inch or less in size. They seem larger than the ones you got. What is their life span? You could pm me with the vendor info.

[BostonJill]

Harry do you know the specie name? My local fish store sells hermit crabs for the salt water people. An inch or less in size. They seem larger than the ones you got. What is their life span? You could pm me with the vendor info.

The crab they sell is called Hawaii Dwarf Hairy Leg Hermit Crab. I wonder if the Hawaii Dwarf Hairy Leg Hermit is just another name for the yellow tip or red tip or maybe the blue leg hermit crab? They are all dwarf species?

[Harry]

Not sure of the scientific name. But I do know that these are so cool, just as cool as the Opae. And they coexist well. My daughter made off with my dwarf hermits for her tank. So I have ordered five more. Three are for my 1-1/4 gallon jar and two for my 1/2 gallon jar. I leave lots of foreground so I can watch these guys come out and do their cleanup chores.

[KenCotigirl]

Harry the more you talk about them the more i want them. The size seems perfect. Do they crawl all over or do they stay on the substrate? Hawaii Dwarf Hairy Leg Hermit Crab, that name is a mouthful. Thankyou Bostonjill. Are you getting any? Like to see them on your shrimp cam.
Ken

[Harry]

They crawl around. They are busy beavers cleaning the gravel and they also climb the rocks. I have five on the way - my daughter took the ones I had.

[BostonJill]

Harry the more you talk about them the more i want them. The size seems perfect. Do they crawl all over or do they stay on the substrate? Hawaii Dwarf Hairy Leg Hermit Crab, that name is a mouthful. Thankyou Bostonjill. Are you getting any? Like to see them on your shrimp cam.
Ken

Yes, I ordered five tonight as well as some shells. I was surprised the shipping is only five dollars. I hope they get here alive.
I will place four in my 5 gallon tank and one in my half gallon tank. I hope they show up on my shrimp cam.

[Harry]

I think they will all survive shipment - mine did. The shells they provide are okay. But I found a great deal on ebay where someone is selling small size shells, exact size needed. These come 24 to a pack and they are beautiful red striped nerite shells. I ordered those because they are so colorful and attractive. I'm hoping my hermits will select them, as the shells they ship with are not decorative at all. Just put nerite shells into the search and they will pop right up.

[BostonJill]

I always loved the Red Nerita Shells. The ones with the zigzag's down the middle. Great thinking Harry! I just ordered a dozen. Are you going to boil them and make sure there's no dead tissue left before placing them in the water? Because our tanks are so small I always worry about stuff like that changing the water parameters.