HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Check it out!!!! Its a new species of crab called Coenobita Brunneus or as I like to call them, Brunnys or B's. They are sold at www.exoticlandhermitcrabs.com and I sooooooooo want one!!

TheCrabbyTabby wrote:

Check it out!!!! Its a new species of crab called Coenobita Brunneus or as I like to call them, Brunnys or B's. They are sold at www.exocticlandhermitcrabs.com and I sooooooooo want one!!

Can't just buy one . . . . has anyone noticed that coenobita are like potato chips . . .

Keith

aww he's cute! so true keith

I want one.

And yes they're like yummy potato chips. You can't have just one. In my case it's Doritos so for me they're like Doritos......only I bet they don't taste as good. XD

*Looks at crab* KAWAII! I love you.

I'm kind of disappointed with the response to this. This is why online crab shops rub me the wrong way. How come everyone who posted so far was mostly interested in buying the crab, and saying how much they like to buy crabs?

Before we go on a shopping spree, I think we need to talk about the fact that this is a "new" species that they just named themselves. They have no information on it at all, except a sales pitch that it is friendly blah blah blah. Of course we don't want a crab that is grumpy all the time. :roll: What is different about this species? Is this really a new species, or has it been around forever, and is just simply new to the commercial world? It's very sad that the first time we hear of such a species is in an online store! A new species is huge! But how unprofessional have things gotten when a new species is introduced to us with a price tag right next to the name?

I don't know why no one else questions this or the priorities that we have today.

I've been thinking the same thing, but I didn't want to start anything. I have to question selling a "new species" when it has NEVER been mentioned anywhere else. The other species we keep have been studied and documented as separate species. Without dissecting one to determine that it is truly different from the "main" species, or even doing DNA sequencing to see what if anything is different, how can a person make a claim of a new species?

It's probably just a color variant - not a separate species. I'm sure there are little pockets of hermits all over the world that look different to the rest of the population due to special diets alone - crabs that eat nothing but coconut because it's all that's available are going to look very different to crabs that have a very varied diet. We've seen that in our own tanks!

Actually, the owner of ELHC has done DNA testing on some of his crabs. I don't know if it's been done on brunneus.

If you have questions, have you tried emailing them to the owner of ELHC? I've talked to him through email and on the phone and he's been very happy to answer all the questions I've had and he LOVES to talk hermit crabs. You may think it's shady to introduce a new species but I could say the same thing about a person who just makes accusations without even trying to go to the source for answers.

Ok now you see I had no clue that they named this one themselves. Now I've got questions. I have a bad habit of misreading or overlooking things and for that I'm sorry.

On to the questions:

1. How did they come about naming this one?
2. Did they discover it and name it?
3. Where did the crab come from?

Oh there's more I've just got to think a bit. Those are the ones that had me wondering about the whole thing and I had to ask.

He's such a cute little crabby.

I dunno.. They have the pseudorugosus? was it that they've listed on the site but not yet selling because of the claim that they are rare and they want to study them.

One would think that if they took time to study any species before selling it as they have with the pseudo species, they should be able to tell us quite a bit about this species.

However as for me, these will fall under with the blueberries, I'm not going to get them quite yet.

sugarselections wrote:Actually, the owner of ELHC has done DNA testing on some of his crabs. I don't know if it's been done on brunneus.

If you have questions, have you tried emailing them to the owner of ELHC? I've talked to him through email and on the phone and he's been very happy to answer all the questions I've had and he LOVES to talk hermit crabs. You may think it's shady to introduce a new species but I could say the same thing about a person who just makes accusations without even trying to go to the source for answers.

Don't call me shady because I posted my concerns here, and please don't assume I haven't contacted the store owner about this either. I think it's important to be careful with this sort of thing before jumping right in and I will continue to voice my concern because I think it's best we all do the same for the sake of crabs.

I have real concerns with this issue that I think are quite logical and don't see how others could not also at least raise an eyebrow. I'm glad some others share these concerns and please don't be afraid to post them on the HCA. All of our thoughts count!

"Felix" named them. He is from Indonesia and sees them around there. You bring up a good point with color/diet variations. The fact is that there is no scientific proof as of yet that this is a real species, and I think we should get answers before we purchase any.

MacandHunter wrote:Don't call me shady because I posted my concerns here, and please don't assume I haven't contacted the store owner about this either. I think it's important to be careful with this sort of thing before jumping right in and I will continue to voice my concern because I think it's best we all do the same for the sake of crabs.

I have real concerns with this issue that I think are quite logical and don't see how others could not also at least raise an eyebrow. I'm glad some others share these concerns and please don't be afraid to post them on the HCA. All of our thoughts count!

"Felix" named them. He is from Indonesia and sees them around there. You bring up a good point with color/diet variations. The fact is that there is no scientific proof as of yet that this is a real species, and I think we should get answers before we purchase any.

It's good to know you contacted Bob regarding your questions. How did he answer?

Id just like to mention Bob is way more then a online shop. only due to people bugging him to become a online shop has he done so. He is doing major studies on the different exotics. This is an amazing find. I congratulate them.

*Clicks on linky*

......that's funny. The link is broken. It's a shame because I wanted to check the site out and see what they have on there and to see what they say about ( if they say anything ) the "new species".

Frankly for me it's a wait and see situation with alot of questions.

MacandHunter wrote: Don't call me shady because I posted my concerns here, and please don't assume I haven't contacted the store owner about this either.

I wouldn't call you shady, I don't know you. You might be shady, but then, it matters not. As to whether or not you have spoken to Bob, I'll bite - have you? Actually spoken to him?

"Felix" named them. He is from Indonesia and sees them around there. You bring up a good point with color/diet variations. The fact is that there is no scientific proof as of yet that this is a real species, and I think we should get answers before we purchase any.

I think you are right in a way, and yet, if someone wants to buy them because they are cute - go for it, that is why people buy crabs most of the time anyway. I suspect, because Bob has describe some of the differences to me that they are likely another species. The man is exceptionally knowledgeable about Coenobita an Birgus, he has had a lifelong love affair with the animals and if I recall correctly he has had some individuals for over 4 decades. Do I think it would be nice to have him publish the data that proves this is a new species and have it peer reviewed? Sure - that would be terrific. Do I think people should put the brakes on before buying them? Nope, buy them if you want them.

Keith

Hermy88~

I fixed the link for ya!!!