Which Hermit Crab

kevin34

Active Member
Which hermit crab is best in a reef and does the best job cleaning? I have a 125 gallon that will be ready for a clean up crew soon. Also how many should I have? Also do emerald crabs ever go after small fish?
 

miaheatlvr

Active Member
Originally Posted by Kevin34
Which hermit crab is best in a reef and does the best job cleaning? I have a 125 gallon that will be ready for a clean up crew soon. Also how many should I have? Also do emerald crabs ever go after small fish?
Either the blue or red legged will do an excellent job as part of your clean-up crew,, I have heard the blue legs are more agressive though and might go after you snails if they ever get the chance, if hungry enough or for sport.. My emeralds have never gone after my fish,, Neat looking but rather boring little green guys.. I got them becuase I had some bubble algae but they never touched it.. lol
 

kevin34

Active Member
Thanks for the info. Would I really need 110 crabs!!???! I was thinking about going with 50-60 plus some snails, cleaner shrimp, and a few emerald crabs.
 

wangotango

Active Member
I've always been told to add more snails than hermits. I don't think you'll need 110, but maybe 30-40 of each red and blue legged would do. 50-60ish mixed snails would be nice too IMO.
-Justin
 

kevin34

Active Member
I have read several times about coral banded shrimp killing other shrimp and sometimes even grabbing at small fish. Is that true?
 

eastland

Member
I like my blue hermits better than the reds, they are more active in my tank. My reds killed a LOT of my snails, so I switched to turbo snails, they have a protective cover when they close up.
Also, I have 3 emerald crabs, they only eat algae...they are good so far, the biggest is the size of a quarter.
 

wangotango

Active Member
Originally Posted by Kevin34
I have read several times about coral banded shrimp killing other shrimp and sometimes even grabbing at small fish. Is that true?
Coral bandeds are one of the more aggressive shrimp and there's a good chance that it'll attack other shrimp. As for attacking fish, if one of my fish swims too close or picks at it, my CBS might take a swing, but hasn't really gone after them. IMO you'd probably be better off not risking it and just stick with cleaners or peppermints.
-Justin
 

kevin34

Active Member
Originally Posted by WangoTango
Coral bandeds are one of the more aggressive shrimp and there's a good chance that it'll attack other shrimp. As for attacking fish, if one of my fish swims too close or picks at it, my CBS might take a swing, but hasn't really gone after them. IMO you'd probably be better off not risking it and just stick with cleaners or peppermints.
-Justin
Ok thanks. So will the reef pack I mentioned plus about 20 nassarius snails and a couple peppermint shrimp be good?
 

wangotango

Active Member
Originally Posted by Kevin34
Ok thanks. So will the reef pack I mentioned plus about 20 nassarius snails and a couple peppermint shrimp be good?
I guess so, it never hurts to have more. Over time the hermits will kill the snails for their shells so you'll have to replace them and if you feel that they aren't keeping up with the algae you can always add more.
How's the build going? Have you figured out your sump issue?
-Justin
 

eastland

Member
I just introduced a 1 inch cleaner with my existing coral banded & fire shrimp tonight, I doubt they will pick on him in my 90, we'll see...
 

candycane

Active Member
When and if emerald crabs deplete their food source, THEY WILL eat inverts, especially snails. Females are less aggressive then the males if you are determined to get them, the females remain smaller and on their underbelly, their "apron" is round instead of straight.
ANY hermit crabs will pull a snail out of a shell if they get the chance - even ones that are supposed to be straight herbivores. You can completely cover the bottom of your tank with empty shells, but it will still happen. If you are determined to have a clean up crew, I would stick to pincher or no pincher rule.
 

eastland

Member
The emerald crab plays an important role, it feeds on algae, and many are plagued by the green hair algae variety.
 

buckster71

Member
Nothing better than waking up to you emerald crab and a blue legged hermit polishing off teh inside of your clam....

So goes survival of the fittest. That is what a marine aquarium is.
 

kevin34

Active Member
Originally Posted by buckster71
Nothing better than waking up to you emerald crab and a blue legged hermit polishing off teh inside of your clam....

So goes survival of the fittest. That is what a marine aquarium is.
Was this a cleaner clam or something like a really colorful maxima?
 

buckster71

Member
First was the Dresa, which wasn't doing so well after a while, so that was understandable that it was weakened
Next was the Maxima blue....

I will never buy a crab again, except for one dead and on my dinner plate
 
Top