hermit crabs in a reef

[grandPOOBAH]

what is everyone's opinion on keeping hermit crabs in a reef tank? I've tried to keep them 3 times now and every time I do I always get a couple that grow at least twice as fast as the others and start eating everything including the other crabs. Is it best just to skip them in a reef tank?

thanks

 

[petoonia]

Everyone has a different opinion on this. It comes down to what you like. I have always kept hermits, and never really had a problem with them. I really like having them as part of my clean up crew, I think they do a good job. I always provide alot of different types, and sizes of empty shells. I do have one or two hermits wearing snail shells though. I prefer the scarlet hermits, or dwarf zebras they have been the most well mannered in my tank. Any dwarf hermits are usually good because they stay small. Dont get any that are too big, there are quite a few that are not reef safe, and grow quite large so make sure you dont get those.

 

[grandPOOBAH]

it must just be my luck then, I always use the dwarves (mostly blue legs or zebras) but there are always a few that just go A-wall. I always keep them well fed too. well I guess I'm just going to try snails and shrimp then. thanks for your input. any special suggestions on shrimp? I was really like the bumble bees and the sexy anemone shrimp

 

[petoonia]

If you want shrimp that will help with clean up I would get the scarlet cleaner shrimp they are the most active, and they will eat just about anything. If its for your 10 gallon tank I would only get one.

For snails I would just try astreas, banded trochus, or turbo snails. I would get about 5 snails to start.

What else do you have in the tank?

 

[dendro982]

The same, as your experience.
Maroon, zebra, and blue-legged - big and small - hermits. Not much help with a cleaning, but moving and knocking down anything, that could be moved. Shells, that have to be kept for them, create problem when siphoning. Wish, I don't have them. Tried to have a proper clean up crew.

 

[reefturkey]

You know, I've always been a fan of scarlet hermits until I opened up my eyes recently and found out how lazy they are. They just sit there and look at the sand wondering what they should do. The blue legged ones are a lot more active.

 

[reiko1078]

one of my hermits got big fast and knocks my corals over all the time. for the past few weeks hes been terrorizing my queen conch so i threw him in my mantis tank and let the rumble.

 

[MikeyNYC]

blue legged are fine, they eat snails like no tomorrow, but will leave pretty much everything else alone. Red Scarlet Hermits are supposed to be the best, but kinda pricey.

 

[mastou]

I have three Hermits, a Dwarf Yellow Tip Hermit Crab (Clibanarius sp.), a Halloween Hermit Crab (Ciliopagurus strigatus) and an unknown hermit.
They get along without problems

/Magnus