How many hermits and snails?

[Kissfan79]

What is the general rule of thumb for the amount of hermit crabs and snails per gallon of water? Currently in my 24g Aquapod, I have 3 margarita snails, 3 nassarius snails, and 4-5 hermits. Good enough or should I add a few more? I do have 2 shrimp in as well as my 3 fish.

Thanks, Jim

 

[sir_dudeguy]

the perfect rule of thumb for hermits per gallon of water is 0 hermits per gallon Seriously tho, i dont like them at all. They dont even clean that great for one (more just scavengers) but they'll take any chance they can to kill a snail for its shell. Some say that different hermits (like scarlets) are safe...i dissagree, since i had like 5 of them now and all of them were killers

For your tank, i'd say get like 8 cerith snails and 8 astrea snails...keep your nassarius number where they're at right now. Should be good. If not, add on an as-needed basis.

One last thing...on those margaritas. They're great cleaners, i know (i had em) but they're not a tropical species and normally will die relatively quickly in a reef tank because they come from cooler waters. They're in warmer water for about 3 months of the year tho, so that might be how long they last. Just a heads up is all

 

[alexb518]

generally it is said to add a snail per gallon or two and a hermit per 4 gallons or so. But, i would just add as many as needed. are they keeping up right now? if not, add a few more and wait and see.

 

[Fish'InMN]

Completely agree with sir_dudeguy, 100%. Hermits will kill snails, run over your corals, pick at damaged corals making them worse and generally not be friendly reef citizens. The sole hermit I have left, out of an initial purchase of eight, lives in my sump's refugium chamber, to tumble indefinitely on the great ball of chaeto.

 

[Santa69]

Thanks for the info. My dad has a new 75 gallon tank (about 6 weeks). How many snails would you recommend for a tank that size? His water parameters are looking good but obviously he has tons of green/brown algae everywhere. Thanks again for the information.

Jim

 

[Dholmblad]

I always had 100 hermits 100 snails. As other said alot of the hermits would kill snails to take their shells... Even though there were hundreds scattered on the bottom. In revamping my tank, I am going with little to no hermits, more snails and some shrimp.

 

[Santa69]

LOL....I am at my dad's place right now so the last reply and this one were from Kissfan79 being as I am using his computer.

Jim

 

[Santa69]

Thanks for the info. My dad has a new 75 gallon tank (about 6 weeks). How many snails would you recommend for a tank that size? His water parameters are looking good but obviously he has tons of green/brown algae everywhere. Thanks again for the information.

Jim

 

[Jocool]

Hermits are useless IMHO, Shrimp are superior, and finally go with 1 snail per gallon.

 

[Santa69]

What do you guys think about emerald crabs in terms of the cleanup crew for helping to clean the rock?

Jim

 

[gistsc]

Well, I guess you guys are right. I came home today and I find one of my crabs that apears to be killing another one. At least he is a the enterence to the others shell about half way into it. I do not know what type of crabs they are. Here is a pic.

 

[stuccodude]

i never knew, and i almost bought a bunch more hermit crabs, thanx again