Blue legged HC observation

[frantz]

Well like many of you I can find myself engulfed in viewing my tank for hours, even if its fairly new. I have several BLHC and noticed one has been running back and forth the front for a few days. Now this is the first generation in this tank so there aren't a whole lot of shell size variety, so I thought perhaps he needed one. I retrieved a few from my other tank and within 5 min the crab found one he liked. So my question is, is this simply a matter of opportunity being provided, or was his scrambling back and forth against the glass some biologic sign that the crab was outgrowing his old shell? Also, how many of these do you guys use per gallon? It will be a full reef tank when all is said and done with a sand bottom. I also have turbo snails and a few emerald crabs in there as part of the CUC. What are some good sand sifters that will get along with the other cuc guys?

 

[peachyreef]

Lol thats cute! I havent ever seen that but I assume he was just searching for a shell (they are very simple creatures ) I would start out with 1 hermit crab per one to two gallons. I prefer them over snails so I keep more of them.
For the sand issue, I would suggest tongan nassarius, or a sand sifting star (depending on tank size, stars do need room).
Better yet get a sifting/burrowing fish like a pearly jawfish
With the clean up crew that you listed, I am sure you can keep just about any other invert too.

 

[raisedonnintendo]

At least one per gallon if you want them to sandsift and keep algae and cyano down in the tank. If it's just for looks then how many ever that pleases your eyes. They may also jack your turbo snails for there shells.

 

[jdabs]

He was running laps to try and loose some weight to fit in that small shell!

 

[raisedonnintendo]

JDabs;613198 wrote: He was running laps to try and loose some weight to fit in that small shell!

Or Maby he was trying to get his speed up so he could catch one of those "turbo" snails!!

 

[cr500_af]

I guess everybody has their own view of this, but in my tank the correct number of hermits is zero.

I have nassarius snails to turn the sand, and I don't like the way hermits kill snails. I used to have them (because when I was new I was led to believe they were important), but as they've died off I've let their numbers dwindle. I'm pretty sure I have one right now. I'd rather be poked in the eye than have 90 hermits in there.

 

[merkywater]

cr500_af;613491 wrote: I guess everybody has their own view of this, but in my tank the correct number of hermits is zero.

I have nassarius snails to turn the sand, and I don't like the way hermits kill snails. I used to have them (because when I was new I was led to believe they were important), but as they've died off I've let their numbers dwindle. I'm pretty sure I have one right now. I'd rather be poked in the eye than have 90 hermits in there.

absolutely +1

 

[merkywater]

Amici;613475 wrote: Care to share your source for this? That seems mighty high and unsustainable.

I disagree with one per gallon as well! Way to many! I have no source but I would think 1 per 10 gallons would suffice, if you must have them.

 

[mapleredta]

I've found HC to be worthless in my tanks. They kill my snails for their shells. I refuse to put another one in my tank.

 

[raisedonnintendo]

mapleredta;613571 wrote: I've found HC to be worthless in my tanks. They kill my snails for their shells. I refuse to put another one in my tank.

Yep deff can't keep um with snails that's for sure. That's y I said that hermy was running around so much he was trying to bulk up to take out that snail. Lol. Me on the other hand I don't use snails just blue legs. In a pet store have you ever seen a tank where they hold a stock of bluelegs have cyano in it's sand bed? To each his own though but in my opinion if you are putting crabs in for eating algae, cyano, or just stiring up the sand. 1 for every 10 won't do. That be 5 Lil crabs in a 55g four ft long. That's 1 1/4 crabs a foot don't expect much a dent. Again this is just my exp.

 

[hectorharvey]

I have a 14 gallon and the guy at the LFS recommended blue leg crabs because they would NOT take a snails shell. He said the red leggers would. I have 6... but have only counted 5 in the past several counts. I have some porous rock that I know they disappear into.

 

[jeffh]

When I first was cycling my tank, I added some Blue Legs to help clean up the liverock. I too was told they weren't as aggressive *** other HC....so I added them. When they grow....they will pick on snails. Once they needed a bigger shell, mine started attacking snails like other HC's I've had in the past. Now I pull them out as find them. Nothing left now but snails and a few emerald crabs.

 

[hectorharvey]

Does it make sense to throw some empty shells in for growth? Not sure where to get them.

 

[gnashty]

Amici;613565 wrote: I've asked for a source 3 times after that has been posted and have yet to see one. One hermit per gallon will knock everything off the rock work and over 3/4 would most likely starve or kill each other along with the rest of the clean up crew. I think as others have said that snails are better however the 1 per 10 gallon would probably be about right IME.

I have seen online CUC sites with this recommendation, obviously they are selling it so this recommendation is a bit self serving...but it is out there.
http://www.reefs2go.com/product/INV_CR_B_BULK/Bulk-Blue-Leg-Hermit-Crab--500-count.html">http://www.reefs2go.com/product/INV_CR_B_BULK/Bulk-Blue-Leg-Hermit-Crab--500-count.html</a>

I dont mind the hermits so long as I have no snails. They can scale the rock work more efficiently vs my snails who fall over and cant get up and eventually die somewhere in my rock work. Just my opinion though but I wouldnt do 1 per gallon though..

 

[jennm]

1 per gallon *is* excessive, IMO.

I give away extra shells. It won't guarantee they won't eat the snails but having empties available reduces the risk.

Of course there's always the hermit that has to have *that* shell (that a snail currently occupies...)

Jenn

 

[frantz]

I can't see 120 hc's being a great idea. They do pick on my smaller snails but as the populations have shifted and the bigger ones leave their med shells, the small ones don't need to hunt my snails as much. My larger snails are about 1.5 inches and they don't seem bothered at all by the small blue legged crabs... yet

 

[psipro]

Just throwing my $0.02 in that my blue legged HC killed most of my snails and now refuse to eat algae (due to my GF's overfeeding). They are worthless, the next tank is only snails.