small blue leg hermit crabs

[cajamajo]

I have 10 small blue leg hermit crabs in my 35 gal. hex. The crabs are eating the coraline algae off of the rocks. I just got the rocks yesterday, and they were heavily coated, not now. There is a brown algae bloom on the sand from the end of my cycle. Should I take crabs out? I read on this sight people had problems. What should I do. I got them for the brown algae and they are not eating it.

 

[cajamajo]

bump

 

[cajamajo]

Anybody had problems with these little blue leg hermits? :notsure:

 

[renogaw]

my blue legs are eating my brown algae like mad. maybe the coraline algae was dead and they just cleaned it up for you? they've not touched mine on my rock.

 

[cagrn]

Do you think maybe its a coincidence since you just got the rock yesterday. If you don't have enough algea in the tank for the crabs to eat, get some algae sheets.
I'm still considered new at this too, but I remeber reading about the algae sheets for the crabs.

 

[cajamajo]

Ok now I feel stupid. I think you are right. I now have a brown algie bloom on the sand, and they are all on the bottom now. Thanks

 

[petjunkie]

Was your live rock cured or shipped from somewhere? Coraline algea dies off when exposed to air so they may have just been eating dead algea off.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by petjunkie
Was your live rock cured or shipped from somewhere? Coraline algea dies off when exposed to air so they may have just been eating dead algea off.
Yep, I love my blue hermits. They keep the sand clean and go into tiny crevaces to clean as well. The more the better IMO

 

[renogaw]

i too noticed that the live rock was new, was it cured? did you cycle your tank before putting in the crabs?

 

[cajamajo]

yes, yes

 

[lion_ish]

i find blue legs more aggressive if you have snails and no exta shells hey will go after your snails shells i find scarlet hermits much less aggresive and just as good at cleaning. you don't have to change them just remember this for later