Snails getting knocked off...

[OUPike1833]

I have been having an issue with my snails getting eaten by something in my tank. I suspect that my Sally Lightfoot crab is behind the streak of empty shells that pop up every 4-5 days.

Is there anything available that does the job of a tank cleaner that might be able to avoid the crab?

Thanks for any help.

Tank = 28 gallon with live rock and a couple clowns and a 6 line wrasse. 3 hermits as well.

 

[Shmax]

My hermits used to drag snails out and eat them and leave the shells... I've seen them do it many many times. That's why I went with all snails in the reef after the move, much easier than replacing them all the time. I would suspect them or the crab either one... your only options are to get rid of the snail killers, or continue donating snails to them.

 

[Guygettnby]

sixline wrasse will also eat snails. i have seen this first hand and even had to kill a big turbo snail to save my sixline after the snail decided to fight back and close up with my wrasse's mouth still in its shell. i had to break the shell open to get the snail to let the wrasse go.

but also as mentioned above hermits will also kill snails for there shells and 1 of the only ways to stop this whole thing is to get rid f all the crabs and possible the sixline.

 

[OUPike1833]

The thought of the hermits having something to do with it did cross my mind. I haven't noticed any of them changing their shells but that doesn't mean they aren't attacking the snails.

I do have to move this tank to a new residence at the end of May, so the hermits may find their way back to the LFS were I got them.

Thanks for the advice.