Blue Banded Hermit Crab.. Reef Safe?

eeorrandy · 01/16/2006, 10:42 PM

Hi,

Just wanted to find out if a Blue Banded Hermit Crab is reef safe.

Thanks
Randy

BeanAnimal · 01/16/2006, 11:03 PM

I think you will find varying opinions.

The hermit is also known as the "electric blue hermit". Most people report this crab to be reef safe and an algea lover.

However you should know that ALL crabs are opprotunistic omnivores and will eat anything if they are hungry or just plain feel like killing something. I don't think they (the electric blues) will attack corals per say but may eat your small snails and other crabs, as well as shrimp and benneficial life out of your sandbed.

All in all this guy does seem to be popular along with the Scarlet harmets and blue legs. Others may be able to offer first hand advice, as I have never owned one.

eeorrandy · 01/16/2006, 11:39 PM

Thanks for the response. All the reports I've seen say pretty much the same thing.

Thanks
Randy

bowfront26 · 01/18/2006, 10:34 PM

i have had one for about 2 years and have never had a problem with any corals.

otterpop510 · 01/18/2006, 11:38 PM

i've never had any problems with mine with corals either..

thehedge · 01/19/2006, 01:53 PM

When they get bigger, they tend to terrorize turbos for their shells, even when you have shells sitting around the place.

BeanAnimal · 01/19/2006, 02:00 PM

Wouldn't you rather have a nice cozy recently worn home, instead of an abandoned shack?

eeorrandy · 01/21/2006, 01:57 PM

Thanks for all the replies, helps alot

Randy

SuperNerd · 01/21/2006, 04:09 PM

I have seen them huge...and by huge I mean their shells were the size of baseballs...

I don't know where dealers got the idea that they only get to be 2 inches (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=1479) because they can get as big as those non reef safe, hairy hermit crabs(http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...cfm?pCatId=617)...

I've kept electric blues and never had a problem with them eating corals. I currently have the orange variety and also have no problems...but I think that with crabs as long as they are well fed they will be less likely to go after the things you like...

My orange does not go after turbos for their shells and I do have empty shells of various sizes laying around for them...knock on wood.

romunov · 01/22/2006, 02:20 AM

Well, it depends how you define "reef safe".

DarrellD · 09/28/2014, 10:56 PM

This is an old thread and I'm not sure if anyone will see this or not, but in California, we have blue banded hermits (Pagurus samuelis) that are different than the electric blues you see on LA. Anyone know if they are reef safe?

Shawn O · 10/07/2014, 12:41 PM

blue banded hermits (Pagurus samuelis) appears to be a cooler water species, may not survive long in a 78~80f reef tank.

01/16/2006, 10:42 PM	#1
eeorrandy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Herriman, Utah Posts: 229	Blue Banded Hermit Crab.. Reef Safe? Hi, Just wanted to find out if a Blue Banded Hermit Crab is reef safe. Thanks Randy

01/16/2006, 11:39 PM	#3
eeorrandy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Herriman, Utah Posts: 229	Thanks for the response. All the reports I've seen say pretty much the same thing. Thanks Randy __________________ --Randy Knowledge speaks........ Wisdom listens.

01/18/2006, 11:38 PM	#5
otterpop510 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: oakland, ca Posts: 1,018	i've never had any problems with mine with corals either.. __________________ huh? you mean those are not purple people eaters in my avatar? Current Tank Info: home: 75 gal reef, 18 gal planted discus; class: 20 gal reef and some goldfish which won't die..

01/21/2006, 04:09 PM	#9
SuperNerd Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: SoCal/Left Side- USA Posts: 4,572	I have seen them huge...and by huge I mean their shells were the size of baseballs... I don't know where dealers got the idea that they only get to be 2 inches (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=1479) because they can get as big as those non reef safe, hairy hermit crabs(http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...cfm?pCatId=617)... I've kept electric blues and never had a problem with them eating corals. I currently have the orange variety and also have no problems...but I think that with crabs as long as they are well fed they will be less likely to go after the things you like... My orange does not go after turbos for their shells and I do have empty shells of various sizes laying around for them...knock on wood. __________________ I said fraggit! Current Tank Info: M-728 Combat Engineer (based on M60 hull). M-3 Lee Medium (British version with squatter).

01/22/2006, 02:20 AM	#10
romunov Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,453	Well, it depends how you define "reef safe". __________________ Life is too short to learn everything from experience. "And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free."

01/16/2006, 11:03 PM	#2
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	I think you will find varying opinions. The hermit is also known as the "electric blue hermit". Most people report this crab to be reef safe and an algea lover. However you should know that ALL crabs are opprotunistic omnivores and will eat anything if they are hungry or just plain feel like killing something. I don't think they (the electric blues) will attack corals per say but may eat your small snails and other crabs, as well as shrimp and benneficial life out of your sandbed. All in all this guy does seem to be popular along with the Scarlet harmets and blue legs. Others may be able to offer first hand advice, as I have never owned one.

01/18/2006, 10:34 PM	#4
bowfront26 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: santa barbara, ca Posts: 515	i have had one for about 2 years and have never had a problem with any corals.

01/19/2006, 01:53 PM	#6
thehedge Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 146	When they get bigger, they tend to terrorize turbos for their shells, even when you have shells sitting around the place.

01/19/2006, 02:00 PM	#7
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Wouldn't you rather have a nice cozy recently worn home, instead of an abandoned shack?

01/21/2006, 01:57 PM	#8
eeorrandy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Herriman, Utah Posts: 229	Thanks for all the replies, helps alot Randy

09/28/2014, 10:56 PM	#11
DarrellD Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 5	This is an old thread and I'm not sure if anyone will see this or not, but in California, we have blue banded hermits (Pagurus samuelis) that are different than the electric blues you see on LA. Anyone know if they are reef safe?

10/07/2014, 12:41 PM	#12
Shawn O Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 1,474	blue banded hermits (Pagurus samuelis) appears to be a cooler water species, may not survive long in a 78~80f reef tank.