I think I'm done with hermit crabs...

[AmherstReef]

I really do like hermit crabs in my tank, especially small. But once they get big they become a menace and today may have been the last straw.

I purchased some "replacements" from John at https://www.reefcleaners.org/ who was more than generous as usual.

As soon as I put them in the hermit crabs came out like it was feeding time, the 10 or so crabs started feasting on the new meat. So that was that, I pulled them all out and put the in the sump. They may have some advantage but between knocking over corals and eating all my snails, I think I'm done.

Needless to say I may have 10 or so hermit crabs for sale.

 

[Patti7dc]

Aw sorry about that. Which snails do they attack?

 

[EllieSuz]

I prefer the Scarlett Legged Hermits. I never have any problems with them. What kind did you buy?

 

[AmherstReef]

Today it was Nassarius and Cerinth, but they have also done a number on my Astrea.

 

[jpjr]

And I thought it was just me having the same issue!! I've tried the blue and red crabs and they attack my snails all the time! So I purchased some HUGE turbo snails and they seem to leave them alone.

 

[Patti7dc]

Hmm... Well I only have three of the blue legged hermits to help with detritus but they don't bother my astrea or nassarius at all.

 

[Jonnyhot]

I have a couple in my sump, I call them the killers, they kill every thing snails, others hermits . For some reason they don't kill wash other . Maybe it's only one or two that are killing ur snails.

 

[Randrew215]

I got rid of mine when I upgraded tanks last year and haven't noticed any ill effects.

 

[00Stoll]

I'm having the same problem, and they're growing really fast! I've been contemplating moving them to the sump, or to their own tank for a battle royale...

 

[AmherstReef]

I have blue legged, red legged and then a few with white stripes running vertical down the legs. They are viscous killed a bush of my Astrea's.

Only question now is can they survive in my refugium with 24/7 light

 

[Zombiecowmeat]

Man I must be lucky. I have 10 blues, 3 scarlets, and 2 Mexican reds. Mine haven't bothered anything, but I have a huge "shell field" where they change shells like once a week haha so maybe that's why they don't bother my snails.

 

[Patti7dc]

Man I must be lucky. I have 10 blues, 3 scarlets, and 2 Mexican reds. Mine haven't bothered anything, but I have a huge "shell field" where they change shells like once a week haha so maybe that's why they don't bother my snails.

LOL I have what we call a "shell pile". I dumped a handful of extra shells in the corner and they do their switching almost weekly too. Like I said I only have 3 in my 90G that were moved over from my 29G and I haven't had enough crap on the bottom to warrant getting any more. I think my snails do a better job with the algae and there doesn't seem to be many leftovers from feeding. I don't plan on adding any more, not with all the horror stories I hear.

 

[EWilly]

Ive had problems with the big brown ones, the last one I found beating up on the new additions I put in (red legs) was sent to the sump. They apparently don't like sharing their tank with even the littlest of the little crabs.

Haven't had any of the red legs get big enough to cause problems yet. I also did the extra pile of shells trick, mostly leftovers from the previous snail kills that the browns did, and so far *knocks on wood* no more snail deaths with the red and blues I still have. Try the pile!

 

[AmherstReef]

Shells was definitely not the issue, when a big red is eating a dwarf cerinth its not for the shell.

 

[Patti7dc]

Shells was definitely not the issue, when a big red is eating a dwarf cerinth its not for the shell.

dang! you got some serial killer crabs there!

 

[Aaeolien]

I have a hard time keeping snails in my tank too. It's not the crabs that eat them. I am surprised the crabs are still alive. My neon dottyback, who is a very cool fish, likes to kick the crap outta the snails and eat them. Ordered a nice batch from reef cleaners not too long ago and well lets say the fish has eaten pretty well. Lol. He was trying to take out one of the big snails earlier today. I heard this racket from the tank and here is this fish with a giant snail shell in its mouth bashing it against the glass.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I was done with hermit crabs 10 years ago.
JMO but (kewl factor aside) IME there should be no need for Nassarius snails in a reef aquarium.
There should be no uneaten food at the bottom of the tank EVER and fish poop should be getting stirred up and lifted into the filter system by water currents. In short: a true low detritus/low PO4 coral reef environment is one that leaves Nass snails looking for food that isn't there.
As an aside, a lot of snails that aren't actually Nassarius species get (accidentally or purposely) sold as such.

Now I think tmz has some Nass type snails in one or more of his aquariums (?)
I'd be interested in hearing if he target feeds them or not.