New crustacean babies.

[Rob in Puyallup]

A closeup... One of the "Sexy Shrimp" and the wondering Bubble Anemone seen in the photo posts back:

[Rob in Puyallup]

The pair...

[Rob in Puyallup]

Also in the tank are the Hermit parents and some snails...

[Rob in Puyallup]

The anemone.

[KenCotigirl]

Very nice addition rob. Do you think you can stop here or is a 75 gallon full salt in your future. Try to breed those shrimp. That would be quite an adventure.
Ken

[Harry]

Do you have your blue legged hermit crab in brackish water? Do they need to be acclimated?

[Rob in Puyallup]

Would love a 75 gallon reef tank, Ken. But there's no room in my apartment for one.

Harry... I have both blue legged and red legged hermits in brackish setups. Slowly acclimated from full salt. They're doing very well!

[Rob in Puyallup]

PS to Ken. Sexy Shrimp, from the sounds of it, are like the hermits and Metabetaeus. They require a special fry rearing tank.

[Harry]

My LFS has some dwarf hermits, red and blue. Can you outline your acclimation process for me.

[Rob in Puyallup]

Hi Harry...

Please keep in mind that I have the hermits in brackish tanks with live rock. The crabs munch on the live rock for much of the day, finding who knows what for dinner. They're very good at keeping it clean. I've read that they eat algae, diatoms and cyanobacteria. They also scavenge.

I don't think they could get by by eating the slime that our opae ula do.

That being said...

Many hermit species live in areas of extremes, where "salinities" and temperatures change rapidly throughout the day. In tide pools and bays.

I use the old tried and true method of replacing the water the crabs are in with the water that they'll be living in. A small amount every several hours (except at night) for a couple days. It's a long process, but it's proven successful. Whether or not it really needs to take this long I don't know.

Remember: They'll need food.

[Harry]

Thanks. I'm thinking they will need food in the Opae tank, flake food or shrimp pellets. I would provide enough for just them, with the Opae getting scant leftovers. However, I'm not sure the tank will be able to sustain a favorable balance with a crab or two in it. Just pondering the idea for now.

[KenCotigirl]

Rob if my Meta's cooperate which they aren't now and the golden pearls work I will not forget my Opae friends and provide a baby or few. Lets hope they get and stay in the mood!
Ken

[Rob in Puyallup]

Harry... I have two blue legs in my old 10 gallon tank and two red legs (which are slightly larger), in the Bookshelf.

Ken: I have my fingers crossed!

[Rob in Puyallup]

One of the hermit parents and the anemone.

[Rob in Puyallup]

The other... in terrible focus... LOL!