Should I get more little critters?

[kenman345]

So I have a 56G tank, around 10-13 blue legged hermit crabs, 3 scarlet hermits, 3 emerald crabs, and 3 peppermint shrimp and still have some hair algae and other stuff all over the bottom of my tank.

I have only had the emerald crabs for a few days, but tomorrow i know i will get out early, which means, fish store trip on my way home and I am feeling like getting some cleaner shrimp.

My question for you guys out here are, is it too early to consider getting 2 more emerald crabs?

[jrozzi]

yeah I wouldn't buy anymore

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by jrozzi

yeah I wouldn't buy anymore

Can you elaborate? I also wanted some cleaner shrimp, just 2 of them. What about those? I have 5 fish, 2 clownfish, 2 firefish and a pajama cardinal in the tank.

[jrozzi]

it is recommended to keep only 1 emerald crab per 20 or 25 gallons. Some have reported that keeping them in higher concentrations could lead to aggression amongst themselves. They may also attack smaller snails so if you like your snails, you'll need to keep an eye on your crabs. They may do just fine with snails, but you never know.

[jrozzi]

you would probably be ok with cleaner shrimp I guess i'm not too sure on how territorial they are with other shrimp.

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by jrozzi

it is recommended to keep only 1 emerald crab per 20 or 25 gallons. Some have reported that keeping them in higher concentrations could lead to aggression amongst themselves. They may also attack smaller snails so if you like your snails, you'll need to keep an eye on your crabs. They may do just fine with snails, but you never know.

Interesting, okay, so no more emerald crabs. hopefully 3 in a 56G with plenty of algae blooms I'm dealing with right now will help avoid that aggression.

I am not really interested in snails in the tank, but what about the shrimps

[jrozzi]

if you want to add the cleaners I would make sure they aren't bigger then the peppermints. Cleaners can be cannibalistic if they are big enough to do so.

[Crooked Reef]

Cleaners will grow bigger than the peppermints in time anyway. I never had any issues with keeping cleaners and peppermint shrimp together. Emeralds are hit and miss. The only thing my emerald crab ever did was kill a handful of hermits in one night. He was then a sump crab. Personally I would add the pair of skunk cleaners because they are more personable, come out more in the day time and are better looking than the peppermint shrimp. It may be a gamble with the peppermints, but I would consider it a safe bet for my tank, only 65 gallons. Also, two of the peppermints may pair up and kill the third. They have been known to kill some corals trying to get food from them. If you are doing shrimp it is best to have pairs.

[shesacharmer]

I adore my skunk cleaner shrimp! I have one in my 75 and he gets so excited when it's time to eat...there are no fish in my tank presently so I give him a morsel of food by hand or by forceps every day. He is growing quickly and adds so much personality to the tank. Just love that guy! I only have one emerald and that's plenty...he tends to stomp around on the coral. I am happy having several blue leg and red leg hermits because they stay so small. My larger brown leg hermit also irritates the corals. I don't think the large hermits are a good idea. If you don't like the look of snails get the kind that go in the sand. They serve a totally different purpose than crabs.