?s Concerning CUC

[Pamela]

Considering the members of the cleanup crew I want to purchase and I'm curious about providing "new homes" for hermit crabs to grow into. Where would I go about finding a variety of sizes of empty shells for growing hermit crabs to move into that are safe and clean to scatter into my aquarium? I don't want to buy hermit crabs and then have no provisions for them as they outgrow the homes they arrive with.

Also, what's the general opinion on emerald crabs? I love the green color, but want to make sure they aren't prone to pinching at or otherwise hurting fishes like my clowns and prawn goby. Grateful for any insight your experience can provide so I buy the right CUC for my aquarium.

 

[melypr1985]

At the LFS I work at I will go through the tanks with inverts and clean out the empty shells periodically. I put them in cups and sell them for $1. Maybe your LFS will do that for you too?

 

[tcarter1936]

I had an emerald crab and it was terrible, just my experience. ours constantly agitated and damaged corals and was very hard to catch,again that was my experience

 

[Pamela]

Thank you both! Anybody else have good or bad experiences with emerald crabs?

 

[melypr1985]

Thank you both! Anybody else have good or bad experiences with emerald crabs?

Mine eats bubble algae, but it's the only one left alive out of the three I bought- I think they starved to death with not a lot of algae in the tank to eat. Never had an issue with it bothering my fish, other inverts, or corals. I've been pinched by a few at the store but that doesn't really hurt.

 

[Pamela]

Mine eats bubble algae, but it's the only one left alive out of the three I bought- I think they starved to death with not a lot of algae in the tank to eat. Never had an issue with it bothering my fish, other inverts, or corals. I've been pinched by a few at the store but that doesn't really hurt.

So they won't eat leftovers that fall to the bottom of the tank, the way my coral banded shrimp does? They need algae to not be hungry?

 

[melypr1985]

So they won't eat leftovers that fall to the bottom of the tank, the way my coral banded shrimp does? They need algae to not be hungry?

Apparently. That's my experience, and when any of the tanks at work (i take care of the display tanks there) dont have algae I lose an emerald crab. You can supplement that with algae waffers or nori on a clip or rock. Anyway, there could be another reason that happens.... this is just personal experience and observations.

 

[Pamela]

Well, I do always have algae wafers for my freshwater plecos and clown loaches, but I guess I'd better wait until I have a good growth of algae in my SW tank before getting an emerald crab. I really want one, but I sure dont want the poor thing to go hungry or starve in my care. Thanks for your experienced advice, mely.

 

[Pamela]

Excited to say that my CUC has been ordered! Can't wait to see them and watch them start aeriating my sand.

 

[Naiad]

Where did you order from? You can sometimes get old shells from other reefers in your area as well if your lfs doesn't have any. Just be sure to disinfect because not everyone may take the time like mely. I have a huge bag from when I ran a fowler with fish that ate my cuc.

 

[zoomonster]

IME CUC populations are cyclic (based on food and other factors) and many die off or are eaten over time. Two species of my snails constantly lay eggs (stomatella's also reproducing) and based on population I have had at least some zebra hermits reproduce. Most other periodically need to be refreshed with new stock. Point is there has never been a shortage of shells for hermits. Chances are if you order enough of something you will have some empty shells shortly after adding to the tank. I have seen some places that sell CUC also sell shell collections. Hermits though are good for a long time with whatever shells they are in. Given a selection they will obcessively change shells though increasing the chance of being someones meal. I have a 200g tank so quite a few CUC and I periodically have to clean up the shell litter from the sandbed.

As far as emeralds I think I only ever bought 6. Don't recall having any issues with them but they are seldom seen. Actually its been quite a while and not sure any are even still alive. Also based on what I got they are not all that emerald green and/or some don't stay that color.

 

[eb2292]

Reefcleaners.org sells empty shells for hermits. Although I have found that adding empty shells doesn't really prevent the hermits from killing each other.

 

[rantipole]

I was going to ask this question about hermits as well. I'd feel bad having them if I didn't provide the shells they need. Now I know I can get them. Thanks for starting this thread @Pamela .

Related question: Can you use beach collected shells in a reef tank? I have some from St. Martin and Key West.

Cheers,
rant

 

[Naiad]

You can use beach shells but be sure they are clean and disinfected. They can bring in ich and other things if not.

 

[Pamela]

Where did you order from? You can sometimes get old shells from other reefers in your area as well if your lfs doesn't have any. Just be sure to disinfect because not everyone may take the time like mely. I have a huge bag from when I ran a fowler with fish that ate my cuc.

I ordered from LiveAquaria. I didn't choose any hermit crabs, as much as I wanted them, because I don't have any empty shells for them to grow into. Sometime I'll get my hands on some, and then I can add hermit crabs. I bought a variety of snails, a lettuce slug, a couple of urchins, a crab and a pistol shrimp for my dear little goby.

I see that you're in Michigan! My mom & dad live north of Traverse City, in Ellsworth. How I miss it! I love Oklahoma, too, but beautiful Michigan will always hold my heart.

 

[Pamela]

Reefcleaners.org sells empty shells for hermits. Although I have found that adding empty shells doesn't really prevent the hermits from killing each other.

Oh, goodness! I didn't know that hermit crabs kill each other!

 

[eb2292]

Oh, goodness! I didn't know that hermit crabs kill each other!

They also kill your snails for their shells unfortunately lol. Even if you have a surplus of empty shells. That's why I like to keep my hermit count to a minimum.

 

[Pamela]

They also kill your snails for their shells unfortunately lol. Even if you have a surplus of empty shells. That's why I like to keep my hermit count to a minimum.

Well, I guess I'm happy I didn't order any hermit crabs, then. This is sad news, though.