Do Copperbands eat Hermit crabs?

[Fishmommy]

Ever since I added a CBB I have been noticing the occasional hermit carcass. Do these fish kill hermits? It isn't a big problem, but I may not replenish my hermit population if the fish is actually killing them.

 

[Betta132]

Theoretically. It could be he picks them off while they're out of their shells to molt. I haven't heard of that happening before, but I don't see any reason it wouldn't.

 

[Fishmommy]

I wouldn't be surprised, this guy picks at everything constantly (not corals thank goodness!)

 

[snorvich]

Ever since I added a CBB I have been noticing the occasional hermit carcass. Do these fish kill hermits? It isn't a big problem, but I may not replenish my hermit population if the fish is actually killing them.

Hear any clicking?

 

[Fishmommy]

Nope....tank was started with dry rock so pistols or mantis are unlikely

 

[Betta132]

Yeah, that would be my guess. When a hermit crawls out of its shell to molt or grab another shell, the tail bit is really pale and looks like food. Your butterfly could be eating them.
Or... are you sure they aren't just molts?

 

[Stevenliu9]

Are you sure they aren't just molts?

My thought too. I have seen several "carcass" that I later on found out to be molt. Hermit molts looks really like carcasses.

 

[Georgephoenix]

I had the same problem. When I added my CBB I found my population of hermits decreased.

 

[Fishmommy]

It is possible I am seeing molts. When my shrimp molt it's pretty clear it isn't a carcass, but with hermits it may be more difficult to tell.

 

[Betta132]

With hermits, the molt has all the leg colors and looks like a dead crab with the back half shredded.
Do you have a way to run inventory on your crabs and figure out about how many you have?

 

[Fishmommy]

No way to check numbers. Good chance its molts I am seeing.

 

[sanchoy]

My cbb hasnt , he only picks on snails if they tip over