Snails verses hermits

[allan]

I was trying to figure out why I had so many hermit shells on my sand bed, hundreds of them! Then I realized that I lost them when I dosed the tank with interceptor the last time.

Why do some of you have a problem with the crabs? I have to get either a lot more snails or pick up another crew of hermits.

I'd like some input/advice from the group before investing.

[BSJF]

I'm a combo person myself.

[alton]

I like Scarlets along with snails.

[BSJF]

I love my scarlets and blue legs the most, but will add a few other types if I have a specific problem that needs to be controlled. I do wish I never added that big green monster though :) As far as I know he hasn't bothered anything, but my gosh he is B I G!

[allan]

I've been a combo dude all along. Never had a preference one way or the other but now that I've eradicated my hermits I suddenly find myself with an option.

I've always blamed my inability to maintain snails to the hermits. Perhaps this time I will only get a few and go heavy with the snails.

[jroescher]

Crabs are more fun to watch.

[ErikH]

Crabs are more fun to watch.

+1!

[Europhyllia]

Crabs can do things snails can't do. I have a bunch of blue legs. Wouldn't want to be without them.
They even climb up on the gorgos and sponges to clean them. Never seen a snail on anything other then rock/glass/etc.
I have snails too.
Really why choose if you can just have it all?

[Mr Cob]

I stopped using hermits a long time ago. I just got tired of them killing snails and one another. I also got tired of them messing with my frags.

So I guess if you don't have frags and you like watching mother nature takes it's course then you could have the best of both worlds.

[ErikH]

Oh and I have to razz you..... versus*

[Europhyllia]

My blue legs haven't bothered any frags. In fact if there is algae in between tiny polyps they do an awesome job at cleaning in between. I have seen them eat dead snails or other dead animals which is a plus in my opinion. Don't want anything rotting in the tank.
I've never seen them ambush a healthy snail and take it down.
I am sure it's a possibility but not as likely in a well fed tank I think.

[allan]

Hah, Eric you got me dude. I was singing? :)

Yeah I guess I'm in for another group order. I do think they're cool to watch, but I never cared for them working out with the frags.

[Europhyllia]

well then clearly
You
"... need more superglue!"
;)

[allan]

Lol, looks like its hate on Allan day :D

[Europhyllia]

We love you. ;) We want to help you :)

[ErikH]

:p

[allan]

I'm feeling the love Karin, especially with Erik trying to put his tongue in my ear ^ :)

I'm going back to get me some hermits after I change my lights.

[CoryDude]

If I could afford them I'd go with those electric blue hermits or the halloween hermits with the orange stripped legs. It's just that $8 a pop starts to add up pretty quickly. I'm currently stocking the new 120g w/as few hermits as possible and going with nassarius, ceriths, and margarita snails. Think I'll get around 10 hermits just add some color and watchabililty to the tank.

[Europhyllia]

I would stay away from those bigger hermits like the electric blues, etc. in a community reef. They are beautiful but too destructive/dangerous IMO.
Allan, if you can find the regular Caribbean/Florida blue legs I think you will like them: they eat cyano ;)

[CoryDude]

Hermits are destructive no matter what size. I've had the smaller blues and reds knock over frags. Like you said, guess I need to use more super glue when I'm placing the corals.

[kkiel02]

Hermit Hater here. I hate them eating snails to get the shell then trying out the shell only to find out they dont like it then go back to their old shell. Oooo I hate those things. Although I will go in on a group buy with you, I will just be getting snails though.

As far as frags Im in trouble either way as I have a large mexican turbo and a huge brittle starfish that love to knock over anything that isnt attached.

[Mr Cob]

Hermit Hater here. I hate them eating snails to get the shell then trying out the shell only to find out they dont like it then go back to their old shell. Oooo I hate those things.

lol, that made me laugh. I had a blue leg once that went back and forth from a shell every couple of days for a couple of months. He had his heart set on this one shell that was twice too large for him. It also had some tiny feather dusters growing on it so I can see why he wanted it. LOL, it was so funny to watch. He finally gave up on the mansion and lived with the shack.

That was one time I enjoyed my little hermits.

[BSJF]

Hermits are destructive no matter what size. I've had the smaller blues and reds knock over frags.


And your snails don't? My snails are constantly knocking off my frags from my frag tray.

[Mrs. z28pwr]

I love my Mexican Turbo Snails:)

[tonyydeee]

I like crabs more, but i still have both :D