it's not always the hermit's fault, new evidence inside

[aztbs]

I posted this in my local forum, but I love this shot and wanted to share.

Poor hermit crabs get the blame all the time for killing the dumb astreas that can't get flipped over. New evidence may help them beat the bad rap:

It seems the whole scavenger team is in on the crab-framing plot. I see a bristle worm, brittle star, amphipod and some collonista snails involved. I have never seen this kind of teamwork before!

 

[pat_man_ta]

It looks like that snail has already expired though.

If it had not it would either be closed up tight or putting up some sort of fight to right itself and fend off the attackers and make a run for it.

Oh, and Peppermint shrimp also try to kill flipped over Astraeas. I rescued one in my tank yesterday.

 

[silkione]

Cool pic!

 

[perpetual98]

That is a great picture. I see at least 7 critters in that picture. Fantastic.