How many hermits? how many snails?

[tpigg81]

Just wondering how many crabs/snails to have in my 55. I like the snails but they are like freaking bulldozers, constantly knocking over frags n such. I have about 10-12 blue hermits and was thinking of adding more. also, what about red leg hermits? Are they more aggressive or anything? Just wondering because of price differences @ LFS. I saw a month or two ago where SALWATERFISH.COM had an offer for jade hermits. Are there any added aggression between the var ious colors of hermits? Thank you for all input.!!

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by tpigg81
http:///forum/post/2840060
Just wondering how many crabs/snails to have in my 55. I like the snails but they are like freaking bulldozers, constantly knocking over frags n such. I have about 10-12 blue hermits and was thinking of adding more. also, what about red leg hermits? Are they more aggressive or anything? Just wondering because of price differences @ LFS. I saw a month or two ago where SALWATERFISH.COM had an offer for jade hermits. Are there any added aggression between the var ious colors of hermits? Thank you for all input.!!

I personally stopped using hermits altogether since I've lost so many snails to them... glue and secure the frags&rocks better...
I use astreas, turbos, nassarius, ceriths, and tongan fighting conchs.. they all work well... if I get bubble algae bad, a very small emerald crab.

 

[kydizzle41]

for my clean up crew in my 60 gal i have 15 blue leg hermit crabs 2 turbo snails a lawnmower blenny(eats algae like crazy)
and a sand sifting starfish(which keeps my sand really clean)
but ya i like the blue legs but the red legs will eat smaller fish and inverts if given the chance

 

[subielover]

Lots of snails and zero hermits is the best way to go.

 

[falsepercula26]

Rule of thumb is 1 algae eating snail per 2 gal and same for hermits...I personally find that Blue hermits are best.. any other types will make a meal of your snails for their shells. I keep Margarita snails , astrea, mexican turbo( careful these get huge and will knock stuff around so limit their quantites) cernith, nasarius ( live under sand) i have approx 20 snails in all and 10-15 hermits Blue and 1 hitchhiker scarlet lol.. 65 gal