Why might red-leg hermits be dieing?

[Mrs Fish]

I only put 6 red leg hermits in the tank, but have noticed 3 sets of legs out of their shell ... which I presume to mean they have died and fallen out. Another shell seems upside down with the crab popping in and out .. I'm tempted to right him, but I'm sure they should be able to do it themselves.

They are part of my cleanup crew.

The astrea snails (15) are doing an amazing job on the algae, all accounted for. Not so impressed with the cerith snails - a few of which also seem to have either died in transit or shortly after being added .. maybe 5 have died, but others are active in the day on the algae.

Also, notice one of the 5 green chormis is being bullied by the others, but he's doing quite a job of chasing them back. He is still eating and very active, however I can just see slight dull patches on his scales both sides and assume this is a result of the bullying - it's more noticeable with the actinics on only.

There's nothing else in the tank. I assume this is basically what happens .. you loose a few of what you add (with cleanup crew) .. maybe the red legs were a bad batch??

Water specs:

83.3 (this is the peak of the high temp)
Salinity: .024
PH: 8.2 (although it looked more purple than brown if I really hold it up to the light .. but I'm sure it should be read laying flat next to range card, in which case it's 8.2 not 8.4 or 8.6ish)
Ammonia - trace (0-25)
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0

 

[smcnally]

The crab may have molted. They do that when they grow, and the legs you see are probably it's molt. I hope you meant to say your salinity is 1.024.... .024 would be really bad.

 

[Mrs Fish]

Sorry, yes I meant to say 1.024. I have been gradually raising it from 1.022 this past week.

I saw one of the red legs in a cerith shell .. so I'm sure some changing homes is going on ... and it explains some of the empty red-leg shells. Didn't think they would molt that quickly after being put in.

Everything seems fine, except for that one chromis, but like I say, he is otherwise healthy .. just not fitting in real well.

I ordered two fish which I hope to pick up next week .. a pair of black & white percula clowns, so I am carefully watching the tank .. but it seems absolutely spot on.

Thanks for replying

 

[Tstone]

I think your OK. Periodically you will have to replenish your clean up crew.

 

[Mrs Fish]

Thanks TSTONE .. I'm watching them perhaps a little too closely because there's nothing else to watch LOL!

 

[Tstone]

I hear ya. I used to just sit and watch the live rock while it was curing

 

[Mrs Fish]

We must be twins ..!!

 

[Tstone]

We must be twins ..!!

Yeah but your the better looking half.

 

[Mrs Fish]

... flattery will get you no-where!!

 

[Tstone]

Ok then I'm the better looking half.

 

[dz6t]

Cleanup crew need to be replaced often. We have clean up critters pooled order from www.Reeftopia.com often.

 

[Mrs Fish]

Thanks .. I will keep my eye out for the pooled order.

 

[wrassefan]

We must be twins ..!!

That's scary ...2 Marvins???

 

[Tstone]

That's scary ...2 Marvins???

Double the fun!!!

 

[aquamom]

Don't know what kind of test kits you are using, but I recommend Salifert. They give pretty accurate results, are easy to use and have a consistent theme in the way the tests are performed and read. Just my .02

 

[Mrs Fish]

I am using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc, saltwater master test kit.

My instinct is that all is OK ... levels are great and I've tested almost everyday, sometimes twice.

 

[OceanGuy]

My hermits move into other shells when they outgrow theirs. I always have a small supply of extra ones as they are picky as to which ones that are the right size. Some crabs go in from the left and some from the right, so you need shells that are like "right handed" and "left handed" It is interesting to see them change shells.

I put one nice big shell in just to put a small frag on and my electric blue crab moved right into it. He's the biggest clean up crew member I have.

 

[NateHanson]

It's common for animals to molt shortly after they're moved to a new home. Happens with shrimp too, and freaks people out. "But I paid $20 for you!!!"

 

[snick1734]

So true!

 

[Liam]

inverts are very sensitive to ammonia.You should be reading zero,could be your problem