How many hermits and snails?

Kissfan79 · 03/25/2007, 10:45 PM

What is the general rule of thumb for the amount of hermit crabs and snails per gallon of water? Currently in my 24g Aquapod, I have 3 margarita snails, 3 nassarius snails, and 4-5 hermits. Good enough or should I add a few more? I do have 2 shrimp in as well as my 3 fish.

Thanks, Jim

sir_dudeguy · 03/25/2007, 10:54 PM

the perfect rule of thumb for hermits per gallon of water is 0 hermits per gallon

Seriously tho, i dont like them at all. They dont even clean that great for one (more just scavengers) but they'll take any chance they can to kill a snail for its shell. Some say that different hermits (like scarlets) are safe...i dissagree, since i had like 5 of them now and all of them were killers

For your tank, i'd say get like 8 cerith snails and 8 astrea snails...keep your nassarius number where they're at right now. Should be good. If not, add on an as-needed basis.

One last thing...on those margaritas. They're great cleaners, i know (i had em) but they're not a tropical species and normally will die relatively quickly in a reef tank because they come from cooler waters. They're in warmer water for about 3 months of the year tho, so that might be how long they last. Just a heads up is all

alexb518 · 03/25/2007, 10:55 PM

generally it is said to add a snail per gallon or two and a hermit per 4 gallons or so. But, i would just add as many as needed. are they keeping up right now? if not, add a few more and wait and see.

Fish'InMN · 03/25/2007, 11:06 PM

Completely agree with sir_dudeguy, 100%. Hermits will kill snails, run over your corals, pick at damaged corals making them worse and generally not be friendly reef citizens. The sole hermit I have left, out of an initial purchase of eight, lives in my sump's refugium chamber, to tumble indefinitely on the great ball of chaeto.

Santa69 · 03/26/2007, 04:16 PM

Thanks for the info. My dad has a new 75 gallon tank (about 6 weeks). How many snails would you recommend for a tank that size? His water parameters are looking good but obviously he has tons of green/brown algae everywhere. Thanks again for the information.

Jim

Dholmblad · 03/26/2007, 04:23 PM

I always had 100 hermits 100 snails. As other said alot of the hermits would kill snails to take their shells... Even though there were hundreds scattered on the bottom. In revamping my tank, I am going with little to no hermits, more snails and some shrimp.

Santa69 · 03/26/2007, 04:25 PM

LOL....I am at my dad's place right now so the last reply and this one were from Kissfan79 being as I am using his computer.

Jim

Santa69 · 03/26/2007, 04:26 PM

Thanks for the info. My dad has a new 75 gallon tank (about 6 weeks). How many snails would you recommend for a tank that size? His water parameters are looking good but obviously he has tons of green/brown algae everywhere. Thanks again for the information.

Jim

Jocool · 03/26/2007, 04:31 PM

Hermits are useless IMHO, Shrimp are superior, and finally go with 1 snail per gallon.

Santa69 · 03/26/2007, 05:29 PM

What do you guys think about emerald crabs in terms of the cleanup crew for helping to clean the rock?

Jim

gistsc · 03/26/2007, 06:41 PM

Well, I guess you guys are right. I came home today and I find one of my crabs that apears to be killing another one. At least he is a the enterence to the others shell about half way into it. I do not know what type of crabs they are. Here is a pic.

stuccodude · 03/26/2007, 07:33 PM

i never knew, and i almost bought a bunch more hermit crabs, thanx again

03/25/2007, 10:45 PM	#1
Kissfan79 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 558	How many hermits and snails? What is the general rule of thumb for the amount of hermit crabs and snails per gallon of water? Currently in my 24g Aquapod, I have 3 margarita snails, 3 nassarius snails, and 4-5 hermits. Good enough or should I add a few more? I do have 2 shrimp in as well as my 3 fish. Thanks, Jim

03/25/2007, 10:54 PM	#2
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	the perfect rule of thumb for hermits per gallon of water is 0 hermits per gallon Seriously tho, i dont like them at all. They dont even clean that great for one (more just scavengers) but they'll take any chance they can to kill a snail for its shell. Some say that different hermits (like scarlets) are safe...i dissagree, since i had like 5 of them now and all of them were killers For your tank, i'd say get like 8 cerith snails and 8 astrea snails...keep your nassarius number where they're at right now. Should be good. If not, add on an as-needed basis. One last thing...on those margaritas. They're great cleaners, i know (i had em) but they're not a tropical species and normally will die relatively quickly in a reef tank because they come from cooler waters. They're in warmer water for about 3 months of the year tho, so that might be how long they last. Just a heads up is all __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

03/26/2007, 06:41 PM	#11
gistsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California, USA Posts: 131	Well, I guess you guys are right. I came home today and I find one of my crabs that apears to be killing another one. At least he is a the enterence to the others shell about half way into it. I do not know what type of crabs they are. Here is a pic. __________________ 29 gal tank LPS w/10 gal fuge 60 lbs LR Shallow sand bed started 3/1/2007 Current Tank Info: 29 gal reef

03/26/2007, 07:33 PM	#12
stuccodude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: sanger Posts: 1,040	i never knew, and i almost bought a bunch more hermit crabs, thanx again __________________ fear the wrath of patrick willis!!! no offense is safe. Current Tank Info: 240 all the goodies,hydra 26 led lights, chiller etc

03/25/2007, 10:55 PM	#3
alexb518 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Mateo Posts: 514	generally it is said to add a snail per gallon or two and a hermit per 4 gallons or so. But, i would just add as many as needed. are they keeping up right now? if not, add a few more and wait and see.

03/25/2007, 11:06 PM	#4
Fish'InMN Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MN Posts: 398	Completely agree with sir_dudeguy, 100%. Hermits will kill snails, run over your corals, pick at damaged corals making them worse and generally not be friendly reef citizens. The sole hermit I have left, out of an initial purchase of eight, lives in my sump's refugium chamber, to tumble indefinitely on the great ball of chaeto.

03/26/2007, 04:16 PM	#5
Santa69 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 31	Thanks for the info. My dad has a new 75 gallon tank (about 6 weeks). How many snails would you recommend for a tank that size? His water parameters are looking good but obviously he has tons of green/brown algae everywhere. Thanks again for the information. Jim

03/26/2007, 04:23 PM	#6
Dholmblad Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northern va Posts: 563	I always had 100 hermits 100 snails. As other said alot of the hermits would kill snails to take their shells... Even though there were hundreds scattered on the bottom. In revamping my tank, I am going with little to no hermits, more snails and some shrimp.

03/26/2007, 04:25 PM	#7
Santa69 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 31	LOL....I am at my dad's place right now so the last reply and this one were from Kissfan79 being as I am using his computer. Jim

03/26/2007, 04:26 PM	#8
Santa69 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 31	Thanks for the info. My dad has a new 75 gallon tank (about 6 weeks). How many snails would you recommend for a tank that size? His water parameters are looking good but obviously he has tons of green/brown algae everywhere. Thanks again for the information. Jim

03/26/2007, 04:31 PM	#9
Jocool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 126	Hermits are useless IMHO, Shrimp are superior, and finally go with 1 snail per gallon.

03/26/2007, 05:29 PM	#10
Santa69 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 31	What do you guys think about emerald crabs in terms of the cleanup crew for helping to clean the rock? Jim