To hermit crab or not too hermit crab...

[fishforlife]

That is my question. Since I have started researching I have found that I enjoy the "cleaning crews" as much or more than the fish. I love to watch the gobies, blennies, crabs, snails, ect....

however I am confused... I have read a few diferent articles that say to avoid ALL crabs in a marine tank.

Do crabs pose a problem in a FOWLR or Reef aquarium?

Hope I was not to crabby:bigsmile:

[dustint21]

Thats everyones question! I have 50 or so crabs in my 90gallon reef and do do a good job at cleaning up! They also do a nice job of knocking my corals off the rocks! If you get them make sure to attach corals by using super glue or putty! As far as puttin crabs in a FOWLR they will most likely become someones dinner!

[pagan.n.damaged]

I have a few crabs (4 or 5) in my 26 and while I love them I'm always watching to make sure they aren't picking off my snails for food or shells. I will keep them in my 26 but my 60 is going to be crabless.

[patman]

I like the little red leg one. don't remember the name of them. they seem very harmless and don't eat each other for their shells. I've also never seen them attach my snails, although I'm sure they would given the opportunity. I've also had blue legs. they're more aggressive, will eat each other and snails, but do a great job. the only other crab I'd consider is an emerald crab, but I'm leary. The rest no way. crabs are ALWAYS on the prowl and can be very destructive. I'm not sure if I'll have any in my new tank when I get it set up.

[ErikH]

You will need to recharge your clean up crew as you go along, so just try to keep a rough count of what you have. When you start seeing algae growth it means it's time to refill your clean up crew (CUC).
I have a mix of snails and blue legs.

[pagan.n.damaged]

I have a blue leg, a scarlet and a couple that are to small to really tell. Now I want to go digging in the tank and check. Mine do pretty good with each other, i think they've only eaten one snail since I got them.

[alton]

I only use Scarlets and Hawaian Zebra. They don't kill each other out. They seem to co-exist with nassarius.

[Ping]

Crabs are omnivorous and will lessen the biodiversity in a tank. However, I sure do like to watch them in a small tank.

Lots of differing opinions on this issue. I don’t put them in a large system

[Mr Cob]

I have both of all types.

At this point I have enjoyed them all but will only continue with the main crew being snails. I will keep a few scarlets but as the blue legs grow larger and start becoming more of a problem I'm picking them off. They kill eachother and snails.

Honestly a crab doesn't do anything more than a snail, beneficial that is. They are super fun to watch which is why I will keep a few scarlets (red hermits). Oh...and definitely an emerald or two...no bubble algae with these guys and they are a blast to watch as well...mine lives under my long tentacle anemone.

[patman]

I only use Scarlets and Hawaian Zebra. They don't kill each other out. They seem to co-exist with nassarius.

Oh yeah, I've had zebras also, they're great. It's been a few years since I had my last tank...:blushing:


I have both of all types.

At this point I have enjoyed them all but will only continue with the main crew being snails. I will keep a few scarlets but as the blue legs grow larger and start becoming more of a problem I'm picking them off. They kill eachother and snails.

Honestly a crab doesn't do anything more than a snail, beneficial that is. They are super fun to watch which is why I will keep a few scarlets (red hermits). Oh...and definitely an emerald or two...no bubble algae with these guys and they are a blast to watch as well...mine lives under my long tentacle anemone.

I've had emeralds before and they didn't do a thing for my bubble algae issues. Maybe they're hit and miss?

[Mr Cob]

I've had emeralds before and they didn't do a thing for my bubble algae issues. Maybe they're hit and miss?


That stinks! Every time I get bubble algae I pick up an emerald or two and it's gone in a few weeks. Must be hit or miss.

[Zoofan]

I had an emerald that claimed the same hole in a rock that my Royal Gramma did. After a week or so the Gramma lost. Crabs are a lot of fun to watch and I try to keep a variety but they can cause so problems. I remember on time I had an explosion of pods, it was crazy, had no predators. Noticed that my zoanthinds, which where very healthy where disappearing. One night stayed up and saw them covered in pods. Everyone said, can't be, zoanthinds must be sick, even thought they would open half eaten the next day.

Moral of story is everything in moderation, after putting in predator for pods the Zoanthids recovered and they stopped disappearing.

I say put them in, there is not a natural reef in the world without them.

Mike

[profntbtr]

i have a sally lightfoot that went rogue and has steadily eaten everything else that moves in my tank. 3 firefish, 1 chocolate tang, 1 fire shrimp, and a gang of other things i can't remember. i am down to one algae blenny and a pink spotted watchman.needless to say, he will not be making the switch to the new tank. on that note anyone want a rogue crab cheap??