Hermit lifespan

[Aquattro]

Anyone know what the expected lifespan of a scarlet hermit is? Mine have disappeared after aproximately 4.5 years in captivity. Only have one left from an original 5.

[Jack]

Mine dissapear regularly. I'm hovering around 10 from an origional 20 in a tad over a year. Mind you these are Blue Legged Hermits.

[Aquattro]

The scarlets have been with me for about 3 years, and with someone else for about 18 months. They have been great critters, never bothering anything. I'll be ordering another 10 shortly. I just borrowed a herd of blue legs from Steve until mine come in.

[StirCrazy]

how soon you planning on getting an order from J&Ls?

Steve

[Aquattro]

how soon you planning on getting an order from J&Ls?

Steve

Pretty soonly. Allen said they should have some green mandarins in next week, so when they do, I'll put in an order

[kari]

You got me beat by a about 6 months. Mine have been around for about 4 years. Never tried a head count tough. Still seems to be a good number of the old guys. I think the other sneaky crabs and such can play a role in shortening there life spans as well as availablity of food.

[Aquattro]

I tell ya. I put 7 or 8 blue legged in last night and the little thugs are after my snails, my scarlet and trying to kill each other. I really hate BLHs!!

[Jack]

Yup, they seem pretty usless to me too. I lost 10 Astrea, 10 Margarita, and 5 Cerith snails. All of them!! :neutral:

[Quinn]

I've avoided hermits altogether due to the horror stories. Are you guys suggesting that the scarlets are decent? I'd really like to get some into my tank, as I really enjoy their personality. Do you think they actually make a dent in algae quantity?

[Aquattro]

Quinn, as you can see in the post, I've had these scarlets for a long time. I have to say they are model citizens always. I have never once had a problem with one of them. I am ordering another 10 very soon.

[AJ_77]

I have to go along with Brad - the Scarlet Reef Hermits are awesome workers, and barely even annoy each other! Model crabs, if there is such a thing...

They're a bit expensive, but worth it. You should get a couple dozen, Quinn...

:razz:

[StirCrazy]

It is realy to bad that blue legged hermits are so evil as they are the absolute best cleaner of all hermits. Scarlets are better behaved but it takes 3 of them to make up for 1 blue legged hermit. Oh well I am still going to buy both.,. scarletts for the main tank and blue for the mantis tank :twised:

Steve

[Doug]

One of my scarlets is about 5yrs. old. I have never seen them bother anything either, but one proudly wears a large conch shell. :eek:

Perhaps it was one of my remaining bluelegs that had escargo. :lol: