How do you feel about crabs?

m and m · May 12, 2010

I would like to find out how you guys feel about crabs in your tank, such as red/blue legs. I thought they where more trouble then they where worth. I always found them bothering my chalice's mostly. How do you guys/gal's feel about hermits in your reef tanks?

Stray32 · May 12, 2010

Itchy and tough to get rid of...

BuyTheReef · May 12, 2010

I always liked scarlet reef hermits and they seem to do well but they are pricey.

m and m · May 12, 2010

What do you mean "Do well"? What I dont like is when a 10 cent crab makes a tredmill of my Pricie coral.

650-IS350 · May 12, 2010

never had problems with Scarlet Hermits and Blue Knuckle hermits. I don't keep blue legged hermits ( small ones ) they're aggressive.

epicenter · May 13, 2010

Better in your reef than in your pants!

byeung · May 13, 2010

i only have one red legged hermit crab now I call him Brutus he has killed the other 3 hermits and at least $30 in snail. I'll probably raise him in a jar from now on. Too much trouble for what he's worth.

nayrgaijin · May 13, 2010

Stray32 said:
Itchy and tough to get rid of...

Bahaha! I love it

I think hermits are good, but I'm not sure about the Scarlets or Emeralds. Ever heard of the Acro-Crabs? Are they actually good or bad for Acros? Or do they just not matter?

Akwarius · May 13, 2010

I love my acro crab. He's adorable, but hides most of the time. If anything, the blue slimer that he resides in is more clean and robust than my other acros. I also like emeralds for some reason. You just really have to secure your frags with one of those guys trouncing around.

sexycorals · May 13, 2010

funny guy.... =)

Stray32 said:
Itchy and tough to get rid of...

Paul_N · May 13, 2010

I read an article a year ago or so about hermits and that red legged cortez hermits(different than scarlet) were the least aggressive so I got about 15 of those. My blue legged and scarlet always killed each other fighting for the shells. I love the cortez, they don't go after each other or mess with anything in my tank.

_Alex_ · May 13, 2010

i have about a dozen blue legs and they have yet to kill a snail unless its just laying there helplessly on its back....

now the other 2 crabs i have in my other tank i would never put them in a reef tank unless u wanted to turn it to fowlr because they both love to eat coral and are about 4" in now and will get up to 12" lol. and also like to eat turbo snails no mater how big or small they are

ddwbeagles · May 13, 2010

I don't have any chalices, but have had both red & green Emeralds and Sally lightfoot crabs in my MD as well as all the common hermit varieties. IMO they (larger crab types) cover a niche in the CUC that neither hermits or snails fill. Mine are mostly noctural, but have never messed with any of my corals (mostly Z&Ps, but some digitata, ORA deepwater SPS, GSP, Leathers, Shrooms, etc...

Bouncing off of Harry's comments, I have had hermits attack and kill snails, but have never "witnessed" a larger type crab do it. Plus, none of mine have ever exceeded 2" (body width) in size. Looks like mixed reviews here and chalice's are an expensive coral to experiment with. Not sure what to tell ya.

Akwarius · May 13, 2010

OMG I almost forgot! Everyone should own a pompom crab!

Stray32 · May 13, 2010

In all seriousness, my hermits ended up in my sump last week. I was tired of them moving and knocking things over in my tank. They are strong for their size, lifting plugs completely out and off of a frag rack. I would certainly be up for having a few less destructive crabs in my tank though.

Typhon · May 13, 2010

Not fond of crabs. Most crabs are omnivores and tend to go after fish after they reach a certain size. Hermits crabs are fine if you don't have snails.