hermits dying

[kolasi]

in my 29g tank (ammo 0, nitrite 0, nitrate about 20-25, sg 1.023, temp 80 alk 8.7) ive found 3 dead hermits over the course of 2 days. Evrything seems in order and all sorts of critters are appearing on the live rock. The tank is a month old and has been cycled.

Any idea what that can be?

Thanks
Panayotis

[griss]

Are you sure the hermits are bodies and not shed exoskeletons? As crabs grow they shed their exoskeleton and many people have mistaken this for bodies.

Griss

[kolasi]

I didnt think of that, but they were in the shell...
when they molt do they leave the shell? or do they shed their 'skin' and continue living in the shell?

Thanks

[NorthCoast]

when they molt do they leave the shell? or do they shed their 'skin' and continue living in the shell?
It depends... they may leave their shell if another is avalible.

How many hermits do you have and what type? Do you have extra empty shells (of various sizes) so the hermits can upgrade as they grow?

...and I agree with Griss and would inspect the suspected dead hermit closely to know if it is dead or just molted.

Later,
NC

[RudeBoy]

[The tank is a month old and has been cycled. ]


Are you saying that the tank is one month past the initial cycle or that the tank has been set up for one month (cycle included)?

[kolasi]

The tank cycled 3 weeks in...so its been cycled for a week

Thats a great tank you have btw... sort of what Im trying to go for

Panos

[DgenR8]

Originally posted by kolasi
The tank cycled 3 weeks in...so its been cycled for a week

Panos

That's a VERY short cycle, have you confirmed test results?
You said,
in my 29g tank (ammo 0, nitrite 0, nitrate about 20-25, sg 1.023, temp 80 alk 8.7)
It's possible that you are getting false test results leading you to think you finished cycling, but in reality probably didn't.