Added a Blue leg crab today. He’s eating one of my snails. :(

[SmokeyDaReefer]

I added a blue legged Hermit crab today. Thought it was pretty cool. It was pretty hungry when he got in the tank. A few hours later I notice it pushed over my biggest turbo snail and is eating it. Is that common? I have a red leg that is much smaller and haven’t had any problems in the past.

Are all of my snails doomed? Did I put a serial killer in my tank?

 

[fishybizzness]

Its what they do. I've Had it happen many times. Just a circle of life thing.

 

[mtfish]

Could be. Some kill to get a new shell to live in. Some just like to kill. How big is this one?

 

[Cell]

It will do it when its hungry or needs a new home or if an opportunity arises. Crabs doing crab things.

 

[SmokeyDaReefer]

It’s pretty good sized. I think the snail was on his way out anyways.

Do I need to add shells for the hermit crab to live in?

 

[Regular_Reefer]

Adding a couple of extras will give your other snails a crabs a better chance, if they can simply hop in a new one they won’t hunt down the best contender

 

[Cell]

Yes, if you keep hermits, you always need extra shells lying around that it can grow into.

 

[mtfish]

There is no guarantee that the hermit will use an empty shell versus killing another snail, but yes good idea.

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

I've only ever observed my blue legs going after snails that were already dead or mostly dead, but I always make sure to keep a lot of extra shells around for them and also target feed them regularly.

 

[SmokeyDaReefer]

Can anyone ID these little spider web looking things? I’m assuming some sort of worm?

 

[Uncle99]

I think I see Clove polyps, maybe Aptasia....
Both invasive.
Treat ALL crabs as “maybe”. Snails way better choice.
Not a requirement.

Since I banned crabs years 5 years ago, I seem to not lose anything these days,
hum....

 

[bsr2430]

I think I see Clove polyps, maybe Aptasia....
Both invasive.
Treat ALL crabs as “maybe”. Snails way better choice.
Not a requirement.

Since I banned crabs years 5 years ago, I seem to not lose anything these days,
hum....

What he said.


Make it a circle of life and eat the crab.