Managing growing crab and anomone

S

shse666

So Mr. Krabs molted http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=98462&p=744238 and that means he got bigger.
TppKg.jpg
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He has two symbiotic anemones attached to his current shell. One of them has more than tripled in size and is pretty much engulfing the back side of his current shell. I will ask the wife to get a current photo soon.
Finding a new shell for this animal is going to be a real task. Maybe I can find a "small" horse conch shell for him, otherwise I'm thinking about special ordering a glass shell: [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaU5etPejZA[/youtube]

How in the world would I convince his two anemones to attach to a new shell? Is it even remotely safe for him to transfer from one shell to another in my pred tank?
Anyone with experience dealing with ultra large hermits and their anemones? Would I need to QT him until all 3 animals have worked things out?
Open to ideas. I very much do not want to strand any one animal or have one left behind and in peril.

Thanks.

--H
 
How big would you say his shell is now? I have a couple big empty shells I could trade you for just about anything. The shells I have are about 2.5-3.5 inches not sure how to measure exactly.


Sent from behind you!
 
I think the total shell is at least 3 inches now. It does have the horn at the end though so that may shave 1/2 an inch off of his usable space.

Here is a photo of his hitchhiker. Note the fluorescing mouth. Interesting.
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Well, I tried a new shell but he rejected it after a few hours and moved back into the old one with the nems......
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJNIc6KUUko[/youtube]
 
I really think that my empty shells are bigger then what you have there. But, I could be wrong, I am going to be moving to carrollton in a couple weeks. At that point I would trade you for a small frag or some macro algae for the sump I am going to set up.
 
He has molted twice since I got him and is still in the same shell. Before, he could retract and protect himself if needed. Now he can not. Not that I think he needs much in the way of protection right now.
Those guys who made the glass shells never got back with us. It would be super cool to see him in a completely transparent shell I think.
 
Do something like this. [attachment=0]ImageUploadedByTapatalk1355369504.347856.jpg[/attachment]


Sent from inside the shark tank!
 
What about trying to get some giant snails for the tank so he has the chance to hunt down his new home like in the wild?
 
@shse666 wrote:
Do you know where I can find some? E-bay has been a dismal failure shell wise. said:
I'm thinking it might be helpful to reach out to a company that dives for their product rather than a middle man, and tell you what you are looking for. It may be a case where they see large snails or shells all the time by ignore them do to the lack of interest, but would be happy to collect a few for you.
Click to expand...
 
Macro view of his smaller 'nem on the underside. This poor thing gets pulled through the sand substrate every single day.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk4I8Bbg-qc[/youtube]
 
This was his aborted attempt to move the big 'nem.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl77m3jvcFY[/youtube]

@Lindsey wrote:
 
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