Leave crabs in???

[benihuma]

While I leave my tank vacant to get rid of the ick, can I leave hermit crabs and emerald crabs in with my live rock? Thanks.
Ben

 

[mithrax]

If you're not medicating your tank, yes. They say it takes about 1 month for the ick life cycle to complete, without host they will die. I don't think crabs are host for them. Let them stay and continue to forage on some algae on your LR.

 

[b_ball12_99]

Yeah you can leave them in without medications. Ick takes about a month (either 21 or 23 days to be exact). Ick will stay in the shells but won't effect inverts.

 

[paul monroy]

Sorry to butt in ,but what if you put food in for your invert's does that help the ick survive? Could they feed on Brime shrimp and flake food?

 

[playtime]

No! They need a host ie... a fish. Thats the only good thing about those nasties. If you don't have a host for them, they will starve to death. Yeah!!!!!
playtime

 

[b_ball12_99]

Agreed. No host=no ick .