Staghorn Hermit Crab

[iamwhatiam52]

The Staghorn Hermit Crab (Manucomplanus varians) is a hermit crab that lives in a hydroid colony that looks like a tiny staghorn coral. The crabs are easy to keep, but does anyone know what conditions are needed to maintain the hydroid colony?

Several I've had moved out of the original home and into shells when the hydroids died.
They are perfect hermits for a reef tank since they don't climb much and never perch in corals.

 

[Ryanqk]

hydroids from what i understand are considered a nuicence in most reef tanks, esp when there is a significant colony (or you have a sea horse ). One of our FMAS members brought a rock covered in em to a meeting but he said they would sting the crap out of you if touched, he was trying to rid his tank of them, i'd be careful around em, even if the effects dont last i hear its comperable to brushing against fire coral. Panacure will kill them, thats about the limit of my knowledge of them...
Ryan

 

[iamwhatiam52]

See this link. http://www.saltcorner.com/1024/index1024.htm

Different type of hydrazoan colony, or maybe I am describing it wrong. No large polyps. Looks almost like a tiny offwhite fire coral.

 

[fanaglethebagle]

I hate hydroids, they sting my coral.