Need help

[Abertuco]

So I think I might of messed up I bought 5 medium to large hermit crabs not sure the species they have red legs with white tips and blue eyes there fun to watch just worried they are going to start killing things I also have 4 small hermits and 4 snails 2 true Percula clownfish,1 blue damsel and a little colony of zoanthids about 12-15 polyps. Also worried about this worm looking thing I saw creeping out of a rock at night didn't get a good look at it but It was light brown pinkish looked kinda like a thousand legger.

[Crooked Reef]

The worm is likely a bristle worm. Most are harmless detrivores that benefit the tank. Look at live aquarias website at their hermit crabs and you will likely get an ID. try scarlet reef or red leg hermits. Without an actual pic this is the best I can tell you. All hermits are opportunistic feeders and may kill eachother and the snails sooner or later, especially if the snails have bigger shells. Your fish and zoanthids should be safe.

[Abertuco]

So I should be fine leaving them all in there. Also is there anything that eats bristle worms

[Crooked Reef]

Fine as in? Sooner or later they will probably eat the snails and may fight eachother for shells. If you are just worried about your fish and corals then yes you are likely fine. It would be a good idea to try to identify the crab though.

You can buy or make traps for the worm. Some fish may eat them but they are generally nocturnal and stay in their own rock. Personally I would leave it though unless it really bothers you. It is just part of a free clean up crew that you may or may not ever see again.

[Abertuco]

I'm trying to get a picture of the crabs because I can't really find anything that looks exactly like them but there all hiding in the rocks right now I'm gonna try again tomorrow morning. And I read coral banded shimp will eat worms I was planning in getting one anyway so maybe that will work out

[Crooked Reef]

How big is your tank? I have read that the coral banded shrimps can eat small fish as well. Do a search of the forums on the bristle worms. you will find plenty of information on them.

[Abertuco]

It's only a 30g

[Abertuco]

That's one of the big ones

[Crooked Reef]

I want to say a left handed hermit crab (Calcinus Laevimanus) or possibly a orange clawed hermit (Calcinus Tibicen). I dont believe either will pose a threat to the zoanthids or fish. You will get differing opinions on hermits in tanks in general. I personally have them because I like to watch them. If my snail population dwindles I replace them.

When you google them use the scientific name as color patterns may be different regionally and by age. Also the common name may be shared by more than one species.

[Abertuco]

I like watching them too lol as long as he doesn't hurt my fish or coral I'll keep him.

[Abertuco]

I have some of these guys to I think the one in the black shell is trying to kill the one in the white shell