Hermit lifespan
 

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!!

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

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?

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.

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:

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

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: