View Full Version : Snails & Mollusks Ceriths Snails becoming meals for Hermits?
PeregrinTook
01-28-2013, 01:19 PM
I added I believe ten ceriths to my CUC and a couple days later I noticed hermits wearing there shells. Im not sure if the snails ate the or just kicked them out of their shells. I'm hoping some got down into the sand but I notice a good amount of hermits with new shells. Is this very common I don't think Ill buy anymore if they just become food.
Rabidgoose
01-28-2013, 01:29 PM
I added I believe ten ceriths to my CUC and a couple days later I noticed hermits wearing there shells. Im not sure if the snails ate the or just kicked them out of their shells. I'm hoping some got down into the sand but I notice a good amount of hermits with new shells. Is this very common I don't think Ill buy anymore if they just become food.
This is in fact a pretty common occurrence. Crabs are almost always on the hunt for better living quarters and they often acquire it violently.
chuck
PeregrinTook
01-28-2013, 01:33 PM
Thanks I figured. For those who use both snails and crabs as part of their clean up crew do just keep adding these snails or give up. From what I read they are real good eaters and I would like to use them.
Rabidgoose
01-28-2013, 03:13 PM
Thanks I figured. For those who use both snails and crabs as part of their clean up crew do just keep adding these snails or give up. From what I read they are real good eaters and I would like to use them.
You can buy empty shells and put those in your tank. That will help with some of your losses but replacing the snails periodically always seems to be needed when crabs are around. At least IME I have also used nassarus vibex and fighting conchs to help with the sand bed, the crabs don't seem to bother them as much that i've noticed. I have a filefish that eats the vibex like popcorn tho. :)
chuck
PeregrinTook
01-28-2013, 03:41 PM
Yea i have some switching shells I probably could use more though. Eh im sure Ill end up getting more at some point.I have Astrea,a couple bumblebees, two spiny stairs that don't seem to be doing well, and a couple turbos right now. I think I will be adding some Nassarious soon to move my sand around.
MizTanks
01-28-2013, 04:21 PM
I have 1 blue leg hermit in my 26g and a ton of snails. I've found the fewer crabs you have the less likely they are to compete with others for snail shells. Thus leaving the snails alone :)
Tom@HaslettMI
01-28-2013, 06:10 PM
I don't keep hermit crabs for two reasons...
1) they kill snails for the shell
2) they steal food from corals when I target feed
They will also kill each other for shells if there are not enough spares... perhaps why Miz has only one?
Tom
MizTanks
01-28-2013, 07:51 PM
I don't keep hermit crabs for two reasons...
1) they kill snails for the shell
2) they steal food from corals when I target feed
They will also kill each other for shells if there are not enough spares... perhaps why Miz has only one?
Tom
Exactly why I have only 1 :)
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