Not really that aggressive though

[petjunkie]

I have a flippin' big hermit crab that has officially grown out my main tank so I'm giving him a ten gallon that he can knock around it. It's one that came with an order of bluelegs and turned out to be a great big striped hermit, he's about four inches and my 33 he was in has like 70 lbs of huge chunks of rock and he just can't get around. I want to put a damsel in the tank with him, does anyone think that would be alright? I know they're supposed to be vicious killer but he hasn't hurt anyone the whole time he's been in the tank, not even snails or my little hermits. Also how often should I be feeding him and how long do they live? I don't have anyone to give him too and I'm afraid my pet store would kill him if he went in their tank. This is a lot of work for a damn 99cent hermit but I'd feel bad killing him, we've had him for almost a year.

 

[boalgf]

You are worried that a hermit crab will kill a damsel? That is unlikely. Esp with something as aggressive as a damsel. Or are you worried the damsel will kill the crab? I've had hermits for years and I never fed them anything. They are part of the clean up crew and eat the waste and left overs from the fish. Though it is fun to see them grab at the food you are feeding them too. Since you have a small tank I wouldn't recommend feeding the damsel more than once a day. Overfeed and the levels in a 10 gallon can get ugly quick.

 

[saltfan]

I have only 2 hermits and am ready to get rid of these things, they eat anything in their paths. I just saw one grab one of my turbos out of its shell for lunch.

 

[boalgf]

petjunkie was asking about its compatibility with fish. "they eat anything in their paths" seems a bit dramatic. Maybe they can pick at something moving as slow as a snail but nothing else. I have more that 20 in my tank and they've been in there with fish, starfish, cucumbers, nudibraches, dragonets, and more. Never hurt any of them.

 

[saltfan]

WOW, I have tried them more than once, never with any good luck, I get them for the clean up crew, and I've actually had some really stupid fish come up and wag their tails at them, and welp, they have grabbed em. And as for snails, I just hope I get some smart ones that stay off the bottom, they are constantly eating them right out of their shells, I'm telling ya it gets a little tiring sometimes, having to buy snails all the time. Then again, I did have my eel teach one of em a lesson not to long ago, stay out of my hole or you'll get ripped out of your shell, well he didn't, and next thing I know there is an empty hermit shell on the eel's den.

 

[wesa]

I've got one of these big boogers too. He's in a 6" shell & does a great job of cleaning sand & lv in my 125 gal. Sometimes he does a good job of moving my rock if it doesn't suit him but otherwise he doesn't bother anything nor does anything bother him. It's like they are all buddies & all are growing bigger. I have a hippo tang, humu humu, yellow damsel, bi-color psuedo, pair of mated clarkii's & numerous smaller crabs, cleaner shrimp, sexy shrimp & anenome. Like people, they all have their own personalities & aggression rates; plus their pecking order. If you aren't happy with him then consider selling/trading him here.

 

[bluelagoon]

i actually had a smaller one.. his shell was maybe two inches, but he was a meanie. started taking bits out of my ocellaris' fins... he went bye-bye to the lfs and i got three random smaller ones in trade. too bad there's only one left...