Am I starving my tank?

[thbrewst]

My hermits keep going after a couple of my corals (the corner of a large monti and a smaller ricordia). Is this natural? Is it because they are not getting enough to eat from other sources? Is my clean-up crew too large for the age of my tank and the amount of livestock that I have?

Any guesses would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[jonboyb]

While they could be hungry.....crabs are BAD about getting curious. Hence why so many have been banished to sumps I've had to pull a few all along from picking at corals and no way my tank is underfed. I let my mantis get "curious" about them:yes:

 

[jennm]

What kind of hermits? What size tank? What feeding habits?

Need more info...

Jenn

 

[thbrewst]

JennM;581724 wrote: What kind of hermits? What size tank? What feeding habits?

Need more info...

Jenn

I only have dwarf red and blue legs in the tank but have not studied to see which ones are on the corals. At any rate they are small, should be reef safe and have not grown to a size that I would think pose any 'risk'.

Tank is a 175 bow with 2 large tangs, 2 medium tangs, 2 maroon clowns, one ~11" anemone. CUC is ~40 crabs, 2 serpent stars, ~40 various snails, 1 large cleaner shrimp, 2 small fire shrimp, 1 small peppermint shrimp, 2 fighting conchs.

Alternate feeding frozen cube with table shrimp mixture and nori (1/3 sheet). Also most days feed a little pinch of flake or pellet food. I also give about 1/3 of a table shrimp to the anemone one or twice a week.

 

[glxtrix]

I personally don't put crabs in my tank....they are opportunistic eaters and will eat whatever they feel like. But that's personal preference really.

 

[enderg60]

crabs are bad mkay...

 

[brianjfinn]

EnderG60;581844 wrote: crabs are bad mkay...

:lol2:

Hermits shouldn't be bothering your corals, and I'd be surprised if they are actually the culprit. My first guess would be that there may be dead or dying flesh to begin with and the hermits are just finding it as a source of food. Just a guess though. I hope the others that are saying "crabs are evil" just overlooked the fact that you're talking about hermits, because small hermits are usually very peaceful and an essential part of a clean up crew.