Things That I've Always Wondered...

[zeo]

I've got a few questions that have been floating around in my head, and I was wondering if anyone could help answer them for me.
Feel free to post some marine type questions too.

Firstly..

Hemit crabs; Are they actually born with a shell? or are they born naked?

Also what happens if a hermit is oneday walking across some rocks and happens to slip and fall causing its shell to become lodge between 2 large rocks. Will it abanden its shell?

Boxer crabs; Are they born with anemones attached to their craws?
Is it a specific type of anemone that they carry? or will they use any?

 

[Pimp]

yes

 

[PaperArrow]

A boxer crab will put down the anemones when molting. and pick them back up if they are still about, if they loose one anemone they will split the existing one one for each claw. also if a boxer looses both anemones another boxer crab will split one, and leave it on a rock for the anemone less crab to pick up and split. so i would guess they are born without anemones and another older crab will share anenome with it.

for reference heres the boxer crab i got a couple of weeks ago, i am still trying for a good photo..dont see it much

 

[xxBarneyxx]

A boxer crab will put down the anemones when molting. and pick them back up if they are still about, if they loose one anemone they will split the existing one one for each claw. also if a boxer looses both anemones another boxer crab will split one, and leave it on a rock for the anemone less crab to pick up and split. so i would guess they are born without anemones and another older crab will share anenome with it.

for reference heres the boxer crab i got a couple of weeks ago, i am still trying for a good photo..dont see it much

Thats SO cool!

 

[Donya]

Hemit crabs; Are they actually born with a shell? or are they born naked?

Pretty much naked. They have to find their first shells.

Also what happens if a hermit is oneday walking across some rocks and happens to slip and fall causing its shell to become lodge between 2 large rocks. Will it abanden its shell?

Yep, they will abandon and streak the tank looking for a new home. They will also sometimes abandon their shell if a crab fight happens over the shell and one clearly can't win. There've been a few times when I've seen naked hermits run accross the tank and hide on top of a rock until the coast is clear. I try to place a shell nearby if I see that happen, since their back ends are pretty vulnerable to injury when out of a shell.

 

[Musho3210]

are boxer crabs reef safe?

 

[PaperArrow]

IME No problems at all with mine, very timid, not even a scuffle with smaller crabs/snails, walks on corals has not stung anything so far. yet full of character, when anything gets too close he will raise his gloves this seems to do the trick. from what i have read...hardy and perfect for nano. also these nems do not need strong lighting. and the crab feeds them for you.

 

[zeo]

Wow, thanx for the info.

Boxers are soo cool, cant wait to get one.. or maybe two is better.