Hermies?

ccrfuzzy · 06-24-2006, 11:25 PM

Hi all, it's been a while since I posted last but I've been sitting around patiently watching my tank cycle. I'm totally pleased to say that my 50 gallon hermit crab tank successfully has fish living in it.

LOL We finally managed to add 1 small Clown, a white tailed chromis and 2 small blue/green chromis and all are doing well and entertaining us wonderfully. They've been in about 3 weeks now, so I consider them a success. It turned out to be a great combination of fish personalities.
The real success apparently is the hermit crabs. We still have 3 out of the original 5 (lost 2 because no shells to move into but that's fixed now). Those 3 crabs are getting BIG. One in particular is getting REALLY big.

He's now about the size of those sand hermies they sell in beach tourist traps. He's got me a little concerned; Is he likely to harm my fish?
I want to add an anemone soon for the clown fish to pair with and I'm thinking I probably need to get rid of the hermies, right?
Elaine

Gina · 06-25-2006, 06:18 AM

I would be concerned with a crab that large. I don't think he could get ahold of any fish that nots laying close to the sand bottom but, if you plan on getting any that live on the sand, then I would probably take him back to the fish store.
I'm surprised he's gotten that big.
I've had a hermit crab now for about 1 1/2 years and he's probably the size of a dime.

I don't mind hermits in my tank as long as they stay on the small size.

Cartman89 · 06-25-2006, 03:31 PM

If the crab is hungry and he spots a fish that fish is crab food. If your nervous about fish becoming crab food take him back and trade him for some reef-safe hermits like blue leg or red leg hermit.

lcstorc · 06-30-2006, 08:43 AM

I never caught my hermits eating my fish, but I wouldn't put it past them. I have seen them kill a number of snails and that is why they went back to the lfs. If they can catch the fish I would not be at all suprised to find them eating it. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything they can get their claws on.

boozeman · 06-30-2006, 08:45 AM

Woodstock · 06-30-2006, 11:35 AM

Scarlet hermits only for me

Also keep in mind, the larger the hermit, the larger their appetite!

I would wait a minimum of 6 months before introducing an anemone. Make sure your water is pristine with trAtes 10ppm or less. What type of lighting do you have? What anemone are you thinking of getting? NOTE: clowns do not need an anemone; nor do anemones need clowns so don't feel pressured to get one.

Stalwart · 06-30-2006, 12:17 PM

I have both red and blue leggers and I have never seen them bother anything, but I have seem my Sally Lightfoot crabs eat a few of them. I guess she caught them skinny dipping, ooops.

06-24-2006, 11:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
ccrfuzzy Bryozoan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 42 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hermies? Hi all, it's been a while since I posted last but I've been sitting around patiently watching my tank cycle. I'm totally pleased to say that my 50 gallon hermit crab tank successfully has fish living in it. LOL We finally managed to add 1 small Clown, a white tailed chromis and 2 small blue/green chromis and all are doing well and entertaining us wonderfully. They've been in about 3 weeks now, so I consider them a success. It turned out to be a great combination of fish personalities. The real success apparently is the hermit crabs. We still have 3 out of the original 5 (lost 2 because no shells to move into but that's fixed now). Those 3 crabs are getting BIG. One in particular is getting REALLY big. He's now about the size of those sand hermies they sell in beach tourist traps. He's got me a little concerned; Is he likely to harm my fish? I want to add an anemone soon for the clown fish to pair with and I'm thinking I probably need to get rid of the hermies, right? Elaine

06-25-2006, 06:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,826 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hermies? I would be concerned with a crab that large. I don't think he could get ahold of any fish that nots laying close to the sand bottom but, if you plan on getting any that live on the sand, then I would probably take him back to the fish store. I'm surprised he's gotten that big. I've had a hermit crab now for about 1 1/2 years and he's probably the size of a dime. I don't mind hermits in my tank as long as they stay on the small size. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

06-25-2006, 03:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cartman89 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Branson, MO Posts: 659 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hermies? If the crab is hungry and he spots a fish that fish is crab food. If your nervous about fish becoming crab food take him back and trade him for some reef-safe hermits like blue leg or red leg hermit.

06-30-2006, 08:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 19,905 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hermies? I never caught my hermits eating my fish, but I wouldn't put it past them. I have seen them kill a number of snails and that is why they went back to the lfs. If they can catch the fish I would not be at all suprised to find them eating it. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything they can get their claws on. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

06-30-2006, 08:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hermies? __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

06-30-2006, 11:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,199 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hermies? Scarlet hermits only for me Also keep in mind, the larger the hermit, the larger their appetite! I would wait a minimum of 6 months before introducing an anemone. Make sure your water is pristine with trAtes 10ppm or less. What type of lighting do you have? What anemone are you thinking of getting? NOTE: clowns do not need an anemone; nor do anemones need clowns so don't feel pressured to get one. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My QT/Hospital Tank* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

06-30-2006, 12:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stalwart Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Middle River, Maryland Posts: 274 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hermies? I have both red and blue leggers and I have never seen them bother anything, but I have seem my Sally Lightfoot crabs eat a few of them. I guess she caught them skinny dipping, ooops. __________________ Mark Reef Newbie I would list my stuff if I knew what it was. I have a box full of water a yellow thing a blue thing oh, and this black box thing that goes whirllllll, blurble,blurble.

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