Aggressive hermit problem

[jjirsa78]

I'm new to saltwater, and this forum, so bare with me ...

I was given a free "peaceful" hermit (from Petco of all places, as I complained that they were letting their marine fish die) that I assumed was a scarlet hermit (checked liveaquaria - peaceful) - but upon arrival and acclimation, it's definitely the larger and much more aggressive common hermit ...

As I have a small tank (24G) with chromis and other hermits, I'm very worried that he's going to do a significant amount of damage. For the time being, I've separated him by making a tupperware cage to separate him from the rest of the inhabitants.

Does anyone have any experience with these guys? How damaging are they likely to be in real life? Anyone in the LA / OC area want him - he's all personality, really entertaining to watch...

 

[reefwick]

Many say that no crabs are really reef-safe.

 

[Thorndunes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6716957#post6716957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefwick
Many say that no crabs are really reef-safe.

This is true for the most part. They're going to eat anything they can. Mine usually eat algae and scrap food from my fish but I've seen them go after each other and some of my smaller snails.
You may be fine but you may also have a bully. Watch him close and decide from there.....

 

[aquaman67]

First,

[welcome]

Does it look like this?

I have one in my fish only tank with a Trigger and Eel.

He does a good job cleaning up leftover food.

They get big and I'm sure they're not reef safe.

Mine hasn't bothered any fish, but he gets lots of food because the trigger is a sloppy eater.

Maybe you can take him back?

 

[aquawolf]

Since Petco gave it to you for free, I would take it back for free.

I had one that began picking off my turbo snails while looking for bigger and better homes. I took him to the LFS and told them they could have him.

 

[DgenR8]

I don't even keep little hermits in my tank. Crabs are opportunistic feeders, and if they are hungry, snails are an easy target.
You can effectively keep your tank clean with a good assortment of snails. I say no crabs in a reef with very few exceptions (pom Pom crabs, Porcelain crabs....).

 

[cato]

Why are pom poms and porcelains exceptions?

 

[DgenR8]

They are filter feeders, and harmless to snails and other critters. I guess if you were a microscopic organism, you would see them as a threat, but not otherwise.

 

[aquawolf]

DgenR8,

What are your thoughts on emerald crabs and using them to control bubble algae?

Not trying to hijack, just curious since you didn't mention them in your list.

 

[jjirsa78]

Thanks for the feedback ...

Yes, aquaman67 - that's the one.

I've made arrangements to return him to my preferred LFS tomorrow.

 

[DgenR8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6720073#post6720073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquawolf
DgenR8,

What are your thoughts on emerald crabs and using them to control bubble algae?

Not trying to hijack, just curious since you didn't mention them in your list.

Emeralds are hit and miss in both regards. They don't always eat valonia, and they don't always leave your snails and corals alone.
Sally lightfoot crab is another one that might be a cool, harmless addition to your tank, but might be a murderous villain. There is really no crab that is totally trustworthy, other than the filter feeders that just are not built for destruction.

Here's a Pom Pom

and a Porcelain

As you can see, the claws look nowhere near as dangerous as those of a common rock crab.