Uh oh, my hermits are going to need to be replaced soon.

wartooth1

wartooth1

Member
Happy 4th all!
So I've noticed my Arrow Crab has decided that my hermits make a great midnight snack. Every now and then when I turn on the lights in the morning I will see the Arrow munching on half a hermit corpse, despite the fact that I regularly feed the tank brine, mysis, and sinking pellets.
I started out with 15 hermits but now I think I'm down to 6 or 7.
Can anyone suggest a critter that can do the same job as the hermits but not get eaten by the Arrow and how many would be needed to the same amount aof cleaning that 15 hermits would do?
 
jerth6932

jerth6932

Active Member

Get rid of the arrow.
+1 and maybe even use snails over replacing the hermits too.... just an idea.
 
wartooth1

wartooth1

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/386501/uh-oh-my-hermits-are-going-to-need-to-be-replaced-soon#post_3395441
Get rid of the arrow.
Yeah, thats not going to happen, the Arrow is my favorite invert. I'd rather come up with something that could do the same job as the hermits but not be eaten by the Arrow. One of my LFSs recommended an Emerald Crab, because they are probably too heavily armored to be harmed by the Arrow's little claws, but how many Emeralds would you think would equal 15 hermits in terms of cleaning capability?
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
The emeralds will end up fighting and possibly killing the arrow as they get larger. You could try larger fire shrimp, but it's a risk. Arrows aren't really considered "reef safe" because they eat invertebrates. A Sally lightfoot crab might work, but again, it's a risk.
 
1guydude

1guydude

Well-Known Member
+1 sally light foot!
They are mean lil buggers though and you may end up with just a sally lol! Get rid if of the arrow and get like two emeralds or one sally! I dont think a slf will eat ur hermits, but i only had mine for a lil while cuz it molted and broke its legs....it didnt last long story short! Slf's are mean too and will swipe their legs at anything that gets to close!
 
tangs rule

tangs rule

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wartooth1 http:///forum/thread/386501/uh-oh-my-hermits-are-going-to-need-to-be-replaced-soon#post_3395375
Happy 4th all!
So I've noticed my Arrow Crab has decided that my hermits make a great midnight snack. Every now and then when I turn on the lights in the morning I will see the Arrow munching on half a hermit corpse, despite the fact that I regularly feed the tank brine, mysis, and sinking pellets.
I started out with 15 hermits but now I think I'm down to 6 or 7.
Can anyone suggest a critter that can do the same job as the hermits but not get eaten by the Arrow and how many would be needed to the same amount aof cleaning that 15 hermits would do?
FWIW - the coral banded shrimp can do the same thing as the arrow - rip hermits from their shells, and dine on the tails. I had one doing it (only at nite) years ago
 
wartooth1

wartooth1

Member
Eh... I might just replenish the hermits then since y'all say that emeralds or sally light foots might attack the arrow... besides, as long as the arrow stays interested in hermits then he may ignore the decorative inverts like my cleaner shrimps lol.
How big can an emerald get? I was thinking of adding one just because I think it looks cool but if he gets big enough to harm my arrow then forget it.
Oh btw I just redone the rockwork in my tank and counted 10 hermits in the process so I still have more than I thought.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top