Is there a such thing as bad Hermit?

[jctse]

I bought a bunch of snails from reefcleaners to clear up my brown diatom problem. They did an awesome job but I noticed that some of the snails he sent were hermits. I considered that a plus and even threw in some empty shells so they wouldn't mess with the real snails. After a while I noticed one of the hermits was growing significantly bigger than the others. I think 4 are blue legged hermits and the one in question is black with orange whiskers... (see pic) Are all hermits benificial? He seems to just romp all over everything but luckily he doesn't eat any of it (at least that I can see). He's just annoying because he causes all my corals to close as he goes by.

I have a 20 gallon Long about 5 months old.

 

[Loki]

I personally don't like hermits. Do you have a sump or have any local reefers that do? I would throw him in there.

 

[jctse]

I don't have a sump. I do 15% water changes. I'll just off him to my friend who was a 125 Gallon.

 

[ritter6788]

I don't like hermits either. My mantis loves them though.

 

[jctse]

Reefcleaners says it's an Antillean Hermit (sometimes called Jade Hermit) AND is better at eating algae than the blue legged. But I'm not sure if he's saying that because he's the person I got it from

 

[cdness]

I like hermits. I know many others don't, but I think they are fun to watch and an essential part of a clean up crew. Keep him in the display.

 

[BarbH]

I had a couple of of hermits that were posing as ceriths when I got my order from reefcleaners about a month ago. I know that there are many people that don't like hermits but also heard from others who do keep hermits in their display. I decided to keep my hermits in my display tank, have no corals at this time so haven't seen that interaction but they have been leaving my snails alone. I do have a fair number of empty shells available for them and they have changed homes a few times. The definitly do add some interest and I have one that will even climb the silcon on the side of the tank.

 

[ColaAddict]

I keep hermits in my display tank with already mature corals that I don't really spot feed. I don't keep hermits in my grow out tank because all they do is try to swarm any LPS/chalice that I spot feed and steal food from them. Same thing with shrimps. Shrimps can actually be even worse. My shrimps have damaged some of my coral's mouths trying to steal food from them.