Hermit crabs dangerous to snails

[White Hair]

I have three or four hermit crabs in my tank.Question is, i just introduced 3 nerite snails to my tank 3/4 to 1 inch long, i’ve noticed a couple of smaller snails have been taken over by hermits, does anybody have any experience with the two snails together,thanks

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

I've had big blue legged hermits kill snails
a few times.

 

[Kellie in CA]

Yup, they will definitely attack snails. I put a few hermits in my tank a couple years ago and I have one that just causes all kinds of trouble. I frequently put in him in time out, aka the overflow. I kept thinking, "Oh well, how long can he possibly live?" Well, it turns out that hermits can live a crazy long time.

 

[LIreefguy]

Algae eating snails will not harm any other snails So if your asking if you can keep 2 different snails together that’s ok

if your asking if your hermits will kill snails

yes all hermits will kill snails. Some for food and some for their shell.

 

[rfgonzo]

Add some empty shells to your tank. Hermits will look for larger shells as they grow.

 

[Biokabe]

All hermits are a risk for killing snails. Doesn't matter what you do, if you have hermits and snails together you will have some losses.

 

[AquaholicAquariums]

Even with extra shells they will kill the smaller snails. I would pick one or the other. Snails are inexpensive but constantly replacing them will get old quick and more chances of bringing something into your tank.

 

[Sailingeric]

My hermits have eaten a few snails but if they are well fed they should not be on the hunt. I throw in a mussel a couple times a week and the crabs and fish eat on it and my snail population has been stable a long time.

 

[Super Fly]

I have three or four hermit crabs in my tank.Question is, i just introduced 3 nerite snails to my tank 3/4 to 1 inch long, i’ve noticed a couple of smaller snails have been taken over by hermits, does anybody have any experience with the two snails together,thanks

Yes, the red legged scarlet reef hermit crabs are safer with snails. I have these with nassarius and trochus snails w/o issue. Leaving larger emtpy shells will help crabs to move into them as they grow. FYI - Some snails cannot upright themselves if they flip over (trochus) & unless u help flip them, the snail will die.

 

[Quietman]

My blue leg hermit left my snails alone...unfortunately, my pistol shrimp didn't leave the hermits alone - or the snails that get in his end of tank.

 

[DanH86]

Yes, the red legged scarlet reef hermit crabs are safer with snails. I have these with nassarius and trochus snails w/o issue. Leaving larger emtpy shells will help crabs to move into them as they grow. FYI - Some snails cannot upright themselves if they flip over (trochus) & unless u help flip them, the snail will die.

same experience here, red legged crabs haven’t touched my trochus, nassarius or turbo snails...might’ve just been lucky so far!

 

[ca1ore]

Two for the price of one ...... dinner and a place to stay.

 

[K7BMG]

Well I would find it hard to think that a small hermit would attack my Trochus Snails.
My Trochus are over 1 inch in diameter now. So unless I introduced a Hermit close to upgrading its home that big I doubt they would be interested.