Hermit crab in a reef?

Hawaiigold · 12/24/2007, 08:17 AM

Just read an article about new saltwater setup. It was saying No Hermit crabs. But didn't say why. Whats the reason. I just put a few in my 180 gal tank to help clean up.

Thanks

McTeague · 12/24/2007, 08:36 AM

I have heard that they eat snails... And mine crawl all over everything...

AquaReeferMan · 12/24/2007, 08:38 AM

Ive never had a problem with hermits in any of my tanks.

Shooter7 · 12/24/2007, 08:38 AM

I had blue leg hermits in my reef before and had issues with them murdering snails. They didn't need the shells, they just killed and ate the snails. So, I've gone hermit-less. I don't really miss them, and certainly don't miss their abuse of my snails.

DrBDC · 12/24/2007, 09:02 AM

They are known to pick on polyps although many have no problem with them. If you want some, keep the numbers low enough that it's not a big job to fish them out if you decide they are being problematic.

balto777 · 12/24/2007, 11:18 AM

I have got hermits in my reef. They have never killed a snail and the only polyps I have seen them go after is my zoas. (Although, I think they are just cleaning up around them.) I do not have any SPS, though, so maybe they go after those.

NYIntensity · 12/24/2007, 11:24 AM

Hermits will kill snails when they can't find anything on the ground to eat (excess food, etc.)

Sk8r · 12/24/2007, 11:44 AM

Get micro hermits or scarlets. If you can see color patterns on it, there's a chance it's not a micro---which are blackish and very small.
Yep, they perch in corals. I've never known one hurt a coral. In fact, I had an accident to a maze brain recently, and a handful of hermits have very carefully picked off dead flesh and left the healthy---try THAT with your own big human fingers.

I like them. Particularly my scarlets, some of whom are a little on the larger side. And the micros will only kill a snail if its fallen over and begun to die. [Pointy snails can't move or turn over on fine sand, and have to be righted by tank owner.] Ask your lfs for some hermit shells: they don't cost much. Spares in the tank mean peaceful shell-changes.

sfarid123 · 12/24/2007, 11:46 AM

Mine are model citizens & have never picked on zoa's or snails. I do treat them every once in a while with bits of shrimp when feeding my fish.

deansreef · 12/24/2007, 04:13 PM

they will not harm your reef- they are more beneficial than not. they are very cool too watch also.

Diver4life · 12/24/2007, 04:31 PM

I have 12 scarlets different sizes and never bothered my snails, just make sure to provide shells of different sizes.

jadeguppy · 12/24/2007, 05:14 PM

I think part of the key is the type you get. Blue legs have more of a reputation for picking on snails. Extra shells help keep them from doing this. Personally I like the scarlets best. I have never seen the micros in person or for sale.

12/24/2007, 08:17 AM	#1
Hawaiigold Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Beaufort, NC Posts: 51	Hermit crab in a reef? Just read an article about new saltwater setup. It was saying No Hermit crabs. But didn't say why. Whats the reason. I just put a few in my 180 gal tank to help clean up. Thanks

12/24/2007, 08:38 AM	#3
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	Ive never had a problem with hermits in any of my tanks. __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together

12/24/2007, 08:38 AM	#4
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	I had blue leg hermits in my reef before and had issues with them murdering snails. They didn't need the shells, they just killed and ate the snails. So, I've gone hermit-less. I don't really miss them, and certainly don't miss their abuse of my snails. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

12/24/2007, 09:02 AM	#5
DrBDC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ballwin, Missouri Posts: 10,358	They are known to pick on polyps although many have no problem with them. If you want some, keep the numbers low enough that it's not a big job to fish them out if you decide they are being problematic. __________________ Some drink at the fountain of knowledge, some just gargle, but most are rabid. Current Tank Info: 180g sps+75 softy/lps on one system tunze's, seio's, mjmods, aquacontroller w/add ons, 2X400 XM10000 and 3X160 vho actinic, 110g sump, 110 frag tank, Geo Beckett and other stuff

12/24/2007, 11:18 AM	#6
balto777 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 421	I have got hermits in my reef. They have never killed a snail and the only polyps I have seen them go after is my zoas. (Although, I think they are just cleaning up around them.) I do not have any SPS, though, so maybe they go after those. __________________ - Aaron Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder Mixed-Reef

12/24/2007, 08:36 AM	#2
McTeague Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana Posts: 501	I have heard that they eat snails... And mine crawl all over everything...

12/24/2007, 11:24 AM	#7
NYIntensity Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 330	Hermits will kill snails when they can't find anything on the ground to eat (excess food, etc.) __________________ -Jeremy "Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur"

12/24/2007, 11:44 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Get micro hermits or scarlets. If you can see color patterns on it, there's a chance it's not a micro---which are blackish and very small. Yep, they perch in corals. I've never known one hurt a coral. In fact, I had an accident to a maze brain recently, and a handful of hermits have very carefully picked off dead flesh and left the healthy---try THAT with your own big human fingers. I like them. Particularly my scarlets, some of whom are a little on the larger side. And the micros will only kill a snail if its fallen over and begun to die. [Pointy snails can't move or turn over on fine sand, and have to be righted by tank owner.] Ask your lfs for some hermit shells: they don't cost much. Spares in the tank mean peaceful shell-changes. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/24/2007, 11:46 AM	#9
sfarid123 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: maryland Posts: 456	Mine are model citizens & have never picked on zoa's or snails. I do treat them every once in a while with bits of shrimp when feeding my fish.

12/24/2007, 04:13 PM	#10
deansreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: north carolina Posts: 3,234	they will not harm your reef- they are more beneficial than not. they are very cool too watch also. __________________ the only dumb question, is the one not asked... Current Tank Info: 225 gallon peninsula

12/24/2007, 04:31 PM	#11
Diver4life Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines FL Posts: 482	I have 12 scarlets different sizes and never bothered my snails, just make sure to provide shells of different sizes. __________________ We are the minority but we are a proud specie! (Scuba Divers 4 life). Current Tank Info: 90 gal, 110 lb LR, 90 lb LS, 29 gal sump/fuge, ASM G1 skimmer, Mag 9 return pump, solar xtreme 48'' T5, Koralias 1400, Reefkeeper Lite Plus.

12/24/2007, 05:14 PM	#12
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	I think part of the key is the type you get. Blue legs have more of a reputation for picking on snails. Extra shells help keep them from doing this. Personally I like the scarlets best. I have never seen the micros in person or for sale.