Scarlet Reef Hermits eating snails?

[Super Fly]

About a month ago I added 6 scarlet hermits & 12 Trochus snails to tank, they all acclimated and were doing well in tank. Then recently I noticed few empty trochus snail shells. Tank already had several Trochus snails and they rarely died. Not sure if the hermits killed the snails or the Trochus snails died on their own bc of poor health/acclimation. (I'm assuming they were the newer snails) Anyone experience scarlet hermits killing snails in their tank?

 

[aKlevans]

hermit crabs definitely can and will kill snails. However, trochus snails are not a common victim of hermit crabs because of their ability to fling hermits off of their shells. Also, hermit crabs usually kill snails for their shell, unless they are not getting enough food.
It's definitely possible, but I doubt it.

 

[KMench]

I have a mix of “reef safe” crabs and I watched them dig up and eat my nassarius snails. Always gotta keep an eye on the little buggers

 

[Lloyd Williams]

One word... yup

 

[WV Reefer]

Never trust a crab........ even if they are cute.

 

[Emmanuel Zamora]

Just to add, trochus snails have a short life expectancy.

 

[ectoaesthetics]

It is absolutely possible. Like everything every single one can have its own quirks and personalities. It is totally possible that you have a murderous scarlet. However, and this is the key, it is unlikely with the scarlets. It is one of the reason a lot of us are willing to pay $5 for a crab. They are pretty chill when it comes to snails. They are some of the very few crabs that would prefer to hop into an old shell covered with coralline and growth rather than a fresh new squeaky clean one. For that reason they *typically* are not as harsh on the snail population. However, just because something isn't supposed to do something doesn't mean it won't. You can end up with algae eating fish that take chunks from coral. Some people love steak others prefer to be vegan. I would keep an eye on them. One thing is for sure if a snail is starting to die, they will eat it. So it becomes very difficult to tell. Clear the empty shells make sure you give them a couple of target feeds and watch from there to see what happens.

As for life expectancy, it is not uncommon for trochus to live for over 10 years in a tank.

 

[Super Fly]

Thanks for all the insights everyone, good info. For now I'm going rule deaths of new additions from health (perhaps got few unhealthy ones.

Also, hermit crabs usually kill snails for their shell, unless they are not getting enough food. It's definitely possible, but I doubt it.

Not sure if this is my case though bc the shells r sitting empty on sand and not being occupied by hermit.

One thing is for sure if a snail is starting to die, they will eat it. So it becomes very difficult to tell. Clear the empty shells make sure you give them a couple of target feeds and watch from there to see what happens. As for life expectancy, it is not uncommon for trochus to live for over 10 years in a tank.

Think I'll rule out hermits being murderous for now as the shells r sitting empty, so I don't believe the snails r being killed for their shells. I also have nassarius so if the trochus died , then hermits and nassarius would have made quick work. And yes they are hardy long living snails as my pre-existing trochus have been with me for few years.

 

[reefwiser]

Hermits and snails don’t mix. The hermits will eat the snails to get the shells as they grow. [emoji3]

 

[iDeath]

All crabs and shrimp for that matter are jerks imo.

 

[Barry_Cuda]

I've seen video of a coral banded shrimp invading the burrow of a much larger mantis shrimp, getting its claw torn off, then charging right back in again...and doing it AGAIN after losing the other claw to the mantis. Don't underestimate a shrimp.

 

[Philt56]

https://media1.tenor.com/images/2e915b6a7d09734761585608f813c886/tenor.gif?itemid=3483777

 

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