Too many crabs?

MeuserReef · 07/12/2006, 03:56 PM

I have a 30 gallon reef and I think I may have too many crabs. I have around 15 hermits in the main tank (red and blue). Im thinking of reducing this number due to them constantly killing my snails. I found two of them carrying my starfish behind the rocks yesterday (I saved him but i know it was just luck to have been in the right place at the right time).

How many crabs do you all have and in what sized tanks?

thanks

xtrstangx · 07/12/2006, 03:59 PM

I'd take about 15 of them out.

Crabs are terrible. They are oppertunistic so they will eat whatever they think looks good (corals, algae, snails, starfish, etc)

MeuserReef · 07/12/2006, 07:04 PM

my thoughts exactly!

any one else run crab-less?

DamnDamsel · 07/12/2006, 07:11 PM

To funny to watch to go without for me

Ursus · 07/12/2006, 07:13 PM

I have zero crabs in my tank. In fact, I only have 6 Trochus snails in it as my clean up crew. Keep in mind I have a very, very lightly stocked tank with not corals added yet, but they get the job done.

P.S. - I use tap water.... don't tell

RichConley · 07/12/2006, 07:32 PM

I have plenty of hermits in my tank. THey dont bother anything.

Tons of food in, tons of skimmate out, will keep your reef much healthier than feeding once a week

ERICinFL · 07/12/2006, 08:17 PM

I usually drop some shrimp pellets in the tank after lights out. They usually stay pretty full, so they leave my other stuff alone.

maddyfish · 07/12/2006, 08:23 PM

I have blue legs, they have bothered nothing in 2 years. I also have zebra hermits, they occasionally kill a snail.

icepick5587 · 07/12/2006, 08:28 PM

I run crab-less. My hermits would pick on my feather duster.

Pico Keeper · 07/12/2006, 08:35 PM

My Hermits killed a feather duster too, and a couple snails.

I used to be very careful to feed my fish very slowly, so nothing would reach the bottom, and they would eat everything. Now I dont pay as much attention, and I let the hermit crabs eat what falls to the bottom.. Now they dont bother anything anymore.

I think the key is to add them slowly only as you need them. I also stay away from scarlets, dwarf blue legs, and electric bandeds.. They same to be the most troublesome, I just use normal blue legs..

The best cleaners in my tank are not snails or hermits, they are stomatella's... the clean everything at an amazing rate!! plus they look cool, and people are always asking,, OMG what is that slug thing...

MeuserReef · 07/13/2006, 07:13 AM

Pico Keeper... Is a stomatella the same thing as a "sea hare"?

07/12/2006, 03:56 PM	#1
MeuserReef Welcome to the next level Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,412	Too many crabs? I have a 30 gallon reef and I think I may have too many crabs. I have around 15 hermits in the main tank (red and blue). Im thinking of reducing this number due to them constantly killing my snails. I found two of them carrying my starfish behind the rocks yesterday (I saved him but i know it was just luck to have been in the right place at the right time). How many crabs do you all have and in what sized tanks? thanks __________________ "Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic." -Anonymous Current Tank Info: tankless

07/12/2006, 07:04 PM	#3
MeuserReef Welcome to the next level Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,412	my thoughts exactly! any one else run crab-less? __________________ "Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic." -Anonymous Current Tank Info: tankless

07/12/2006, 07:32 PM	#6
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	I have plenty of hermits in my tank. THey dont bother anything. Tons of food in, tons of skimmate out, will keep your reef much healthier than feeding once a week __________________ NO TANKS!!!

07/12/2006, 08:17 PM	#7
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	I usually drop some shrimp pellets in the tank after lights out. They usually stay pretty full, so they leave my other stuff alone. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

07/12/2006, 08:23 PM	#8
maddyfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 330	I have blue legs, they have bothered nothing in 2 years. I also have zebra hermits, they occasionally kill a snail. __________________ If an expert says it cannot be done, get another expert- David Ben-Gurion Current Tank Info: 75 mixed simple tank 2.5 pico and 20 gallon QUARANTINE

07/12/2006, 03:59 PM	#2
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	I'd take about 15 of them out. Crabs are terrible. They are oppertunistic so they will eat whatever they think looks good (corals, algae, snails, starfish, etc)

07/12/2006, 07:11 PM	#4
DamnDamsel Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York Posts: 176	To funny to watch to go without for me

07/12/2006, 07:13 PM	#5
Ursus Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 480	I have zero crabs in my tank. In fact, I only have 6 Trochus snails in it as my clean up crew. Keep in mind I have a very, very lightly stocked tank with not corals added yet, but they get the job done. P.S. - I use tap water.... don't tell

07/12/2006, 08:28 PM	#9
icepick5587 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 198	I run crab-less. My hermits would pick on my feather duster.

07/12/2006, 08:35 PM	#10
Pico Keeper Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 437	My Hermits killed a feather duster too, and a couple snails. I used to be very careful to feed my fish very slowly, so nothing would reach the bottom, and they would eat everything. Now I dont pay as much attention, and I let the hermit crabs eat what falls to the bottom.. Now they dont bother anything anymore. I think the key is to add them slowly only as you need them. I also stay away from scarlets, dwarf blue legs, and electric bandeds.. They same to be the most troublesome, I just use normal blue legs.. The best cleaners in my tank are not snails or hermits, they are stomatella's... the clean everything at an amazing rate!! plus they look cool, and people are always asking,, OMG what is that slug thing...

07/13/2006, 07:13 AM	#11
MeuserReef Welcome to the next level Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,412	Pico Keeper... Is a stomatella the same thing as a "sea hare"? __________________ "Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic." -Anonymous Current Tank Info: tankless