Hermit crabs eating alive fish

[Gabriel Garcia]

As title says just found my yellow tang with about 6 hermits trying to eat him alive. I noticed today he wasn't eating and was staying in his hole. Went to check on him and the hermits we attached to his fins. I tore up the rock works and got him out of the tank. Setting up a hospital tank for him now, but is this normal? Can the crabs tell he was sick or something? All other fish are fine.

 

[jetmaker]

What kind of hermits were they.

 

[Gabriel Garcia]

Red legs

 

[human]

Depending on the type of hermits they are, yes they will take advantage of a sick fish. Crabs are opportunistic feeders, they'll go after the easiest meal. If your tang was just laying there letting them crawl on it, then they'll try to eat it.

 

[Humblefish]

Sounds like your YT is sick or injured, as a healthy fish would not allow himself to be chewed on by little red legs.

 

[Gabriel Garcia]

Yea I got him about two weeks ago and he was very malnourished. He's been eating and was looking and acting much better until today. Today I noticed he was in his sleeping spot for most of the day and didn't eat. I don't see any physical signs of sickness only behavioral. I'll post a picture of him when I can get one. I already have a qt tank set up just doing a water change on it and I'll put him in there.

 

[thebluecatapilla]

I don't think the hermits themselves are to blame, probably just due to a sick fish and an easy meal they were taking advantage of.

 

[Gabriel Garcia]

He did have some cuts on his side when I got him. They have since healed but could it be an infection of some sort?

 

[Humblefish]

Notice any heavy breathing?

 

[Gabriel Garcia]

No doesn't look like he is breathing heavily

 

[Humblefish]

He did have some cuts on his side when I got him. They have since healed but could it be an infection of some sort?

Possible. But if you aren't noticing any visible physical symptoms, it would have to be an internal infection.

 

[Gabriel Garcia]

I have prazipro and metro plex on hand. Should I medicate just in case?

 

[Gabriel Garcia]

 

[Humblefish]

He looks pretty thin and I also think I see his belly pinched. Ever seen any white stringy poop come out of him?

 

[MikeyAl]

As title says just found my yellow tang with about 6 hermits trying to eat him alive. I noticed today he wasn't eating and was staying in his hole. Went to check on him and the hermits we attached to his fins. I tore up the rock works and got him out of the tank. Setting up a hospital tank for him now, but is this normal? Can the crabs tell he was sick or something? All other fish are fine.

I had exact same thing happen. Cleverly he was sick and the crabs are him. I was at work at didn't move him to qt and found him with his eyes eaten out. Good job getting him to qt on time. If he is healthy the crabs won't touch him.
Good moving g

 

[Gabriel Garcia]

Well unfortunately he did not make it through the night. I medicated with metroplex last night but I think it was to late for him. Really sad day for me this is the first time I've lost a fish. Like I said I got him 2 weeks ago and he was extremely thin. He was looking much better and eating so I thought I was bringing him back then yesterday bang. Not sure what people do with their fishes but we are gonna bury him in the back yard.

 

[Humblefish]

 

[Chrisfish]

Well unfortunately he did not make it through the night. I medicated with metroplex last night but I think it was to late for him. Really sad day for me this is the first time I've lost a fish. Like I said I got him 2 weeks ago and he was extremely thin. He was looking much better and eating so I thought I was bringing him back then yesterday bang. Not sure what people do with their fishes but we are gonna bury him in the back yard.

Really sorry to hear that he didn't make. It's hard to loose our sea creatures but you tried to give him a chance, remember that.

 

[MikeyAl]

Sorry to hear that. I lost mine last week. Didn't bury him though - plastic Baggie then in the trash.

 

[Reefersutherland_]

I dice em up on a cutting board then scrape it back in the dt