Blue legged Hermit crab

airvicconcre · Jul 4, 2023

Hi.
i have a BLHC sitting in my sump for almost 3 months now, i was wondering if they are reef safe and good at cleaning up leftovers and algae?
i have quite a few sandbed corals, would it disturb those species of corals? all opinions and suggestions welcome.
thanks

sesbalders · Jul 4, 2023

I have 2 in my reef, they are reef terrorists in that they are a pain in the butt. That said mine have never done anything aggressive to corals, just snails. They are good fun though which is why they are still in there

kevgib67 · Jul 4, 2023

I have both blue and red legged dwarf hermits in my tank for almost 20 months without a problem.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 4, 2023

I have one as a hitchhiker and was cautious but after 6 months is now welcomed. The Red may be a scarlet and is reef safe caution

bvanfish · Jul 4, 2023

Mine hasn’t gone after coral but kills all my snails any chance they get. Getting sick of it may have to ditch them so I don’t have to keep buying snails

blaxsun · Jul 4, 2023

sesbalders said:
I have 2 in my reef, they are reef terrorists in that they are a pain in the butt. That said mine have never done anything aggressive to corals, just snails. They are good fun though which is why they are still in there

Reef terrorists, lol. :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

littlefoxx · Jul 4, 2023

airvicconcre said:
Hi.
i have a BLHC sitting in my sump for almost 3 months now, i was wondering if they are reef safe and good at cleaning up leftovers and algae?
i have quite a few sandbed corals, would it disturb those species of corals? all opinions and suggestions welcome.
thanks

I have blue legs, red legs, scarlet legs, halloween, and zebra hermits in my systems. Only annoyance is sometimes they knock my coral frags off but never heard of them being an issue. Big part of my clean up crew!

airvicconcre · Jul 5, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
I have one as a hitchhiker and was cautious but after 6 months is now welcomed. The Red may be a scarlet and is reef safe caution

Thanks. can add it to the display without worrying too much now.

airvicconcre · Jul 5, 2023

littlefoxx said:
I have blue legs, red legs, scarlet legs, halloween, and zebra hermits in my systems. Only annoyance is sometimes they knock my coral frags off but never heard of them being an issue. Big part of my clean up crew!

i sometimes open my sump door just to watch it. interesting character. will add to the display without a worry. thanks

airvicconcre · Jul 5, 2023

blaxsun said:
Reef terrorists, lol. :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

need something to keep other things in check ;)

bvanfish said:
Mine hasn’t gone after coral but kills all my snails any chance they get. Getting sick of it may have to ditch them so I don’t have to keep buying snails

ive read about that however there is a solution to that. i can add empty shells in the tank for the crab. no?

blaxsun · Jul 5, 2023

airvicconcre said:
need something to keep other things in check ;)

ive read about that however there is a solution to that. i can add empty shells in the tank for the crab. no?

Sometimes they go for the extra shells - other times they enjoy a fresh one with some escargot.

littlefoxx · Jul 5, 2023

airvicconcre said:
i sometimes open my sump door just to watch it. interesting character. will add to the display without a worry. thanks

Yeah I really like my crabs! The halloweens are my favorite since they are so bright. They have a bold personality and can be aggressive but they are awesome!

airvicconcre · Jul 5, 2023

blaxsun said:
Sometimes they go for the extra shells - other times they enjoy a fresh one with some escargot.

well, that should be a part of natural sealife. :)

airvicconcre · Jul 5, 2023

littlefoxx said:
Yeah I really like my crabs! The halloweens are my favorite since they are so bright. They have a bold personality and can be aggressive but they are awesome!

the problem is, where i come from we have very limited availability. i've ordered a porcelain crab and some shrimps been 3 months however i haven't got any yet. i love my inverts. in fact the other day my cleaner shrimp hitched a ride on my sand sifting star. a joy to watch.