question about hermits

pepino · #1 12/08/2007, 10:38 PM

i got some huge hermits on my 20 gallons is 3 of them red legs will they harm my corals

reefergeorge · #2 12/08/2007, 10:41 PM

They may knock them over, but wont eat them or anything.
They will also kill your snails.

pepino · #3 12/08/2007, 10:44 PM

will thwy really kill my snails

kau_cinta_ku · #4 12/08/2007, 10:46 PM

yep they will kill your snails for their shells or when they just want to kill something. that is one reason I don't have anymore hermits in my tank.

jadeguppy · #5 12/08/2007, 10:49 PM

As I understand it, scarlet hermits are not as bad about doing that. Blue legs have a bad reputation for it. This has also been my experience in my tank. However, I don't remove old snail shells so they do have options.

pepino · #6 12/08/2007, 10:56 PM

so should i get rid of them or what you guys think i dont want to lose my snails

funman1 · #7 12/08/2007, 10:59 PM

I keep about 30 small hermits in my 30G and have lots of snails too. Yeah they bump one off now and then but snails are pretty cheap, and if you keep your reef well feed they should not be too bothersome..

kau_cinta_ku · #8 12/08/2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pepino
so should i get rid of them or what you guys think i dont want to lose my snails

you will prob. get 50/50 for answers but IMO a good variety of snails do a better job on cleanup then hermits. and I don't have to worry about the hermits killing the snails. but if you have a fuge or sump the hermits will do good there.

luvnpc69 · #9 12/08/2007, 11:50 PM

do you need to feed the hermits? what do you feed them?

pepino · #10 12/09/2007, 12:06 AM

no idont feed them but i heard that you can atach zuchini toa rock with a rubberband and that should do it

Nereaga · #11 12/09/2007, 08:35 AM

Crabs are opportunistic feeders and will eat anything they can get their claws on. I am shying away from crabs and I am all for peaceful snails.....

Brad

jadeguppy · #12 12/09/2007, 08:49 AM

Different species eat different stuff. This is why I have both scarlet leg hermits, nerite snails, cerith snails, and stomota (sp?) snails. The last one has to be aquired via another reefer or as a hitchiker. I have never seen them for sale, but they multiply in a fuge. Hermits seem to do a better job on the substrate and rocks, snails are great on the glass. Stomota seem to be the exception in that I see them all over everything on a regular basis. Hopefully they wil multiply to the point that they can replace everything else eventually....

tcwayne · #13 12/09/2007, 09:17 AM

I have a couple and one is very interesting for sure. Eats anything including a candy cane shrimp that I had. Has changed to a larger shell several times. Keeps growing and growing.

Norward · #14 12/09/2007, 10:00 AM

Started with ten hermits in my tank, red and blue legged, and am down to four. They do like those snails, especially ones with coveted shells like the ceriths. I did pull one blue legged out early on because it was getting big unusually fast and was quite aggressive. The rest I'm letting attrition take its course and will not replace. Never feed them, as they do well living on the waste in your tank. Choose snails that can right themselves easily to reduce your losses.