WWYD? CUC - crab vs snail

[Clarinuto]

I bought 3 larger hermits (2 scarlets and an electric blue), not realizing at the time that they (or at least one of them - electric blue, I’m looking at you) would destroy my snail population to have a nice snack. Should I return the crabs and replace with more blue legged hermits and snails or should I keep the larger hermits? What would you do?

I guess I could target feed the hermits, but the scarlets especially aren’t even awake when I feed generally and that doesn’t really guarantee they won’t continue on to snail dessert. [emoji23] Thanks for your help and opinions!

 

[Deiblerj]

My tank is a never ending battle...I just keep tossing more snails in every few weeks. Gives the crabs some good food and new shells. Not much you can do. If they end up getting too big then take them out. I had some turbo snails in my tank that died and my crabs tried to take over their shells, I quickly put an end to that befor I had a monster hermit roaming my tank.

Keep an eye on them but don’t stress over it.

 

[hatfielj]

Yeah, hermits are going to do that no matter what. Feeding them will just make them larger faster which will mean they kill snails more often. I would get rid of them.

 

[mta_morrow]

Hermits are opportunistic feeders.

Knowing that, it is simply a choice of do you want them in your tank to watch and enjoy or not.

I have always had them. And I’m always adding snails.

However, I feed my tank heavy and rarely see hermits eating my snails.

I also keep nori in a spot or two banded to a rock on the sand bed for my herbivores and the crabs and snails.

 

[Deiblerj]

What kind of snails do you have or want to get?

I have nassarious (think that’s spelled correctly...) which live primarily under the sandbed. The hermits usually don’t pay them much attention unless the come up to the surface and they are close to each other

 

[Clarinuto]

Hermits are opportunistic feeders.

Knowing that, it is simply a choice of do you want them in your tank to watch and enjoy or not.

I have always had them. And I’m always adding snails.

However, I feed my tank heavy and rarely see hermits eating my snails.

I also keep nori in a spot or two banded to a rock on the sand bed for my herbivores and the crabs and snails.

How long do you leave the nori sitting in the tank for before removing? I’ve banded some nori to a rock a couple times but haven’t let it sit in the tank for more than a few hours over paranoia that it will add to nitrates/phosphates...

 

[alton]

Scarlet and Zebra hermits seem to co-exist with snails. The snail is this picture is actually cleaning the crab while riding piggy back

 

[Clarinuto]

What kind of snails do you have or want to get?

I have nassarious (think that’s spelled correctly...) which live primarily under the sandbed. The hermits usually don’t pay them much attention unless the come up to the surface and they are close to each other

I have an array of snails... nassarius, trochus, margarita, asters, cerith. I’ve seen shells from all turning up around the tank and have only a few (visible anyway, who knows who is still working under the sand ) snails left!!

 

[Clarinuto]

Scarlet and Zebra hermits seem to co-exist with snails. The snail is this picture is actually cleaning the crab while riding piggy back

I’m all for that. Maybe it really is just the electric blue...

 

[mta_morrow]

How long do you leave the nori sitting in the tank for before removing? I’ve banded some nori to a rock a couple times but haven’t let it sit in the tank for more than a few hours over paranoia that it will add to nitrates/phosphates...

I leave it till it’s gone, then I may or may not wait a day and replace it.

I have a small yellow tang that picks at it all day long.

I cut strips and fold them up and then band it to the rock

It only adds to your bio load once it’s eaten and pooped!

Don’t stress over it. Start with a small piece.

 

[Deiblerj]

Power in number, build a snail army!!!!!

No, but seriously I don’t think there is much to be done other than keep tossing a few more in every so often if you want to keep both in your tank. And if you are noticing a specific crab is more aggressive then I would remove them.

 

[Clarinuto]

I leave it till it’s gone, then I may or may not wait a day and replace it.

I have a small yellow tang that picks at it all day long.

I cut strips and fold them up and then band it to the rock

It only adds to your bio load once it’s eaten and pooped!

Don’t stress over it. Start with a small piece.

Rock on. I will relax a little about adding the nori knowing that!

 

[mta_morrow]

Power in number, build a snail army!!!!!

No, but seriously I don’t think there is much to be done other than keep tossing a few more in every so often if you want to keep both in your tank. And if you are noticing a specific crab is more aggressive then I would remove them.

I do have several in my sump[emoji57]

It needs cleaned too. It’s like prison with lots of food for the bad crabs!

 

[Clarinuto]

Power in number, build a snail army!!!!!

No, but seriously I don’t think there is much to be done other than keep tossing a few more in every so often if you want to keep both in your tank. And if you are noticing a specific crab is more aggressive then I would remove them.

Haha, army it is! At least for now. I’ll give the electric blue a little longer (I’m attached and quite like him aside from his snail rampage). He’s changed shells a couple times so maybe that is the cause - hopefully he’s pleased with his shell for now... If not, might have to remove him.

 

[mta_morrow]

Hermits will always check out new shells. I always have extras in my tank for them.

 

[Clarinuto]

Hermits will always check out new shells. I always have extras in my tank for them.

Yeah, I’ve bought a lot of extra shells for them also... just wishful thinking I guess

 

[happyhourhero]

Trochus snails toss hermits off of them

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Ive only ever kept scarlet hermits and never had a problem with them destroying my snail population.

 

[Clarinuto]

Ive only ever kept scarlet hermits and never had a problem with them destroying my snail population.

More signs that point to the electric blue being the guy with a problem. I’ve never seen the scarlets attack snails (just assumed it was possible given they are about the same size as the electric blue)... however, I’ve seen the electric blue several times going after them....

 

[kirbuno]

The electric blue seem to be the best algae eater out there. I have a couple in my tank. I like them. They will die if they get too big for their shell and have no other to get into. Like anything if they become a nuisance for your tank then take them back to your LFS