Reef Aquarium Fact #233 Hermit crabs may kill snails if they don't have enough shells to move into a

[revhtree]

We are going to continue discussing the reef aquarium facts submitted by our members. Do you agree or disagree? What are your thoughts?

Fact #233

Hermit crabs may kill snails if they don't have enough shells to move into as they grow.


Truth or False? What else might we need to learn on this subject? Please also share any pictures that may pertain to the subject.

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[revhtree]

I hate hermits!

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I hate hermits!

I agree...it's a catch 22 though. Hermits really help with algae and other stuff on rocks but they definitely take out snails. And they bugged my corals when i was feeding them too. Hermits are a no go in my tank!!

 

[DeclareYrWar]

More trouble than they're worth

 

[steamer51]

Hermits are opportunistic omnivores which means they eat whatever meat or vegetable matter uses the least amount of their energy to consume. I'm sure they kill snails for their shells when they need one but I think most of the time they are just taking an easy meal. I have seen them eating snails right next to an empty shell of the same kind and size snail. I don't normally keep hermits but ended up with a few in a group of snails a friend gave me. As soon as I get another small tank set up they will go in there since I find them interesting and don't want to kill anything but I enjoy the many types of snails I keep too much to let any more die.







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[Shiftygirl]

That's why I have a mobile home park of various sizes of shells in the corner of my tank.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mike171]

Mine kill to eat them rarely mess with their shells. I do love dwarf Zebras but not sure if they will go into my 120G may just keep them in the 70.

 

[ChoxRox]

I hate hermits!

I loved hermits, but recently SOMEONE has been moving my corals around in the tank... The good news is that I keep finding hermit "legs" all over the tank, so I'm confident that I will only have one left after a few weeks.

 

[Nails12]

In my 180 i have about 30 hermits and about 7 snails. 5 nerites and 2 turbos. Everything seems to be under control. I havent had problems with hermits going after snails unless they are already dying..