Blue leg hermit crabs destroying my zoas

Garrettgomez55 · 08/03/2015, 07:00 PM

I just got a nice piece of rock with 2 types of very colorful zoanthids. I woke up this morning and at least 6 hermits were on it aggravating them. I noticed two polyps detracted from the rock. I don't know if they are just eating the algae on the rock scraping up the zoas with their shells are they are trying to eat them. Not sure what to do any help would be great

organism · 08/05/2015, 12:15 PM

I usually have new rocks swarmed with clean-up crews wanting to get in on whatever's on them. If they're not eating other zoanthids in your tank then chances are they're just cleaning up.

650-IS350 · 08/05/2015, 12:26 PM

Quote:

I usually have new rocks swarmed with clean-up crews wanting to get in on whatever's on them.

agreed

sixpackgarage · 08/05/2015, 07:31 PM

I have not yet witnessed hermits eat zoas in my tank.. they did kill and eat a stomatella snail that somehow ended up in the sand..

Garrettgomez55 · 08/05/2015, 08:08 PM

Yea they aren't eating them but they are knocking the polyps off. I had 4 really nice bright red zoanthid polyps now I'm down to 2 baby ones. I think their shells are knocking them off.

sixpackgarage · 08/06/2015, 03:44 AM

In that case banish him.

organism · 08/08/2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrettgomez55

Yea they aren't eating them but they are knocking the polyps off. I had 4 really nice bright red zoanthid polyps now I'm down to 2 baby ones. I think their shells are knocking them off.

Colonies that are freshly shipped can easily lose polyps due to infection, especially if you see some powdery brown stuff on the stems. Either way I guarantee you that it's impossible for a hermit crab to knock a healthy polyp off of a colony with its shell, all they're doing is some cleanup.

Coralreefer1 · 08/09/2015, 07:46 AM

They are not eating your Zoas, intact they are foraging for food between the polyps. Your Zoas will close, but will again open up in due time, usually in minutes after the hermit has had his fill.

accelaraptor · 08/13/2015, 06:40 PM

My hermit crabs used to drag sand all over my zoas and aggravate them. An overrated member of a CUC in my opinion.

Tweaked · 08/14/2015, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coralreefer1

They are not eating your Zoas, intact they are foraging for food between the polyps. Your Zoas will close, but will again open up in due time, usually in minutes after the hermit has had his fill.

Yep, and they help to clean unwanted algae etc. while cleaning between. I utilize tons of snails, hermits, and a dozen emeralds for this chore.

08/03/2015, 07:00 PM	#1
Garrettgomez55 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Louisiana Posts: 77	Blue leg hermit crabs destroying my zoas I just got a nice piece of rock with 2 types of very colorful zoanthids. I woke up this morning and at least 6 hermits were on it aggravating them. I noticed two polyps detracted from the rock. I don't know if they are just eating the algae on the rock scraping up the zoas with their shells are they are trying to eat them. Not sure what to do any help would be great

08/05/2015, 12:15 PM	#2
organism code monkey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: south bay Posts: 6,223	I usually have new rocks swarmed with clean-up crews wanting to get in on whatever's on them. If they're not eating other zoanthids in your tank then chances are they're just cleaning up. __________________ I don't always grow frags... but when I do, I prefer Dos Acros

08/05/2015, 07:31 PM	#4
sixpackgarage reef mechanic Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 819	I have not yet witnessed hermits eat zoas in my tank.. they did kill and eat a stomatella snail that somehow ended up in the sand.. __________________ my build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2512689 my fuge thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2523500 Current Tank Info: DSA NEO 65G reef powered by Kessil

08/06/2015, 03:44 AM	#6
sixpackgarage reef mechanic Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 819	In that case banish him. __________________ my build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2512689 my fuge thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2523500 Current Tank Info: DSA NEO 65G reef powered by Kessil

08/09/2015, 07:46 AM	#8
Coralreefer1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lake Mary, Florida Posts: 155	They are not eating your Zoas, intact they are foraging for food between the polyps. Your Zoas will close, but will again open up in due time, usually in minutes after the hermit has had his fill. __________________ 14 Gallon Biocube with a Jebao Wavemaker and AI Prime LED light fixture. ---------------------------------------------------- Save a Reef...Create Your Own! Current Tank Info: Various LPS, SPS, Zoanthids andToadstools

08/05/2015, 08:08 PM	#5
Garrettgomez55 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Louisiana Posts: 77	Yea they aren't eating them but they are knocking the polyps off. I had 4 really nice bright red zoanthid polyps now I'm down to 2 baby ones. I think their shells are knocking them off.

08/13/2015, 06:40 PM	#9
accelaraptor Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 8	My hermit crabs used to drag sand all over my zoas and aggravate them. An overrated member of a CUC in my opinion.