Giant hermit

[Indytraveler83]

GHA was overtaking my tank (6 week old setup, but only endured a quick mini cycle due to a large volume of live rock added at start up) as well as diatoms. I upgraded my clean up crew and included a massive hermit crab affectionally known as “Bowser.”

He’s been a boss in the CuC department, at first I watched him stir sand and clear it, then climb rocks and mow down forests of GHA. As a result, my tank is much cleaner and coralline is starting to grow, now that GHA isn’t taking all the nutrients.

However... I want smaller gobies, ornamental shrimp, coral and ornamental macro algae in the tank (long term plan).

Will Bowser simply try to eat the new bottom dwelling inhabitants too?

He’s definitely tried to eat some of the tiny snails in the tank, and he poked at a maxi-mini anemone before thinking better of it. I haven’t seen him try to eat any of the other crabs or larger snails though.

I don’t want to spend good money on a coral or fish, only for him to devour it. But I also don’t want to loose the most effective member of my CuC.

Think he’ll be okay? Or if not, what can I add to replicate his productivity?

Current CuC is a mess of different snails, about 10 smaller (much, much much smaller) hermits and a trio of emerald crabs. The tank also has peanut worms and bristle worms that I’ve seen at night.

 

[James M]

Crabs are opportunistic feeders, It’s a 50/50
It might go after them or leave them alone. Just keep it well fed and you should be good

 

[JumboShrimp]

I have a large Hermit Crab-- call him 'marshmallow' size. He is a Killer! Killer, I say. Ripped and ate Fighting Conch right out of duck-egg sized shells.

 

[Indytraveler83]

I have a large Hermit Crab-- call him 'marshmallow' size. He is a Killer! Killer, I say. Ripped and ate Fighting Conch right out of duck-egg sized shells.

This guy is probably the size of one of those jumbo marshmallows, and the dark spiky shell he hauls around (part of the reason for his name) is probably over 2 in across.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Then believe me, his attitude will probably be, "Is there anything in this tank that I CAN'T kill??" Lol.

 

[Indytraveler83]

Then believe me, his attitude will probably be, "Is there anything in this tank that I CAN'T kill??" Lol.

That’s what I’m afraid of for sure. But how can I replicate his production if I send him back? He’s probably more effective than all the other critters in the tank combined.

 

[JumboShrimp]

You are correct about a large Hermit's effectiveness. Quite the machine, really. You might be able to go with some Nassarius Snails (as they will stay under the sand bed most of the time, going largely undetected by 'Mr. Hermit,' and also very large Mexican Turbo Snails (great for cleaning the glass) will probably fair OK, because they will spend quite a bit of time higher out-of-reach, and can always pull in tight when needed.

 

[Indytraveler83]

You are correct about a large Hermit's effectiveness. Quite the machine, really. You might be able to go with some Nassarius Snails (as they will stay under the sand bed most of the time, going largely undetected by 'Mr. Hermit,' and also very large Mexican Turbo Snails (great for cleaning the glass) will probably fair OK, because they will spend quite a bit of time higher out-of-reach, and can always pull in tight when needed.

I’m not too worried about the rest of the CuC. I think he’s eaten the snails that he could get ahold of already, and everyone else is stable with him. It’s a matter of either:

1) trying the corals and fish I want with him, hoping he doesn’t eat them

Or

2) sending him back to the lfs and finding a different animal or combo of animals to replicate his abilities.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I see. Well a lethal as he can be, he still probably can't 'trap' either a quick fish or a decent sized fish, unless it is a tank with a small footprint and he can 'pounce' when a little guy is sleeping in a corner, or in some rock work. I had my large Hermit in a tall/narrow 10-gallon, and also a 7-gallon nanno. Not so good.

 

[Indytraveler83]

I see. Well a lethal as he can be, he still probably can't 'trap' either a quick fish or a decent sized fish, unless it is a tank with a small footprint and he can 'pounce' when a little guy is sleeping in a corner, or in some rock work. I had my large Hermit in a tall/narrow 10-gallon, and also a 7-gallon nanno. Not so good.

Ah, that’s a good point. I’ve got a 54 gallon and it gives him significantly more room to roam, and for escape!