On July 20, 2018 I noticed a commotion in the litter basket. I looked over to find two of my Coenobita clypeatus (Caribbean crab, purple pincer, PP) in mating position. I quickly grabbed my camera and tried to get some photos. I was not able to tell if he was successful in his mating attempt, it was less clear than when the C. brevimanus mated.
However, I now have evidence he was successful!
On July 24, 2018 I noticed the male leaving the litter basket to eat and abandon his post as bodyguard. I wanted to get a good look at the female so I can try to keep track of her through the process. I was shocked when I saw the underside of her covered in white goo. I’ve shared the photos with some other long time hermit crab hobbyist and they agree we are looking at the eggs exiting the gonopores into the sperm packet from the male. You can see the eggs, they are the tiny orange bubbles. You can also see her enlarged gonopores.
To say I am beside myself excited would be an understatement!!
Here are the pics of the female land hermit crab with her eggs mixing into the sperm. The mating video is further down the page.
*PLEASE DO NOT USE MY PHOTOS WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. THIS INCLUDES POSTING THEM IN FB GROUPS. PLEASE SHARE THE LINK TO THIS POST INSTEAD.*
More info on breeding attempts:
http://curlz-crabs.blogspot.com/p/information-engl.html
