Dwarf Zebra Hermit nesting on Torch

[DeeLeeReef]

Hi guys, new to reefing and recently purchased some blue legged hermits online but when they came one was a dwarf zebra hermit. He has taken to our torch frag and literally doesn’t move off it, is this normal? Is he hurting it? Really appreciate some advice. We also had two reg legged hermits and one was murdered the other night despite loads of shells in the tank so one of the crabs is the culprit but as of yet we don’t know which one. Any advice on what hermits would do this for fun? About to introduce a green clown goby to tank and he’s only small and I’m worried he’ll be at risk. Do hermits attack the little clown gobys? Thanks.

 

[anthonygf]

Hermits don't play well with corals. I have gotten rid of mine for ruining my branching monti. They all seem to gather on it and break off branches. Before and after pics.

 

[DeeLeeReef]

Hermits don't play well with corals. I have gotten rid of mine for ruining my branching monti. They all seem to gather on it and break off branches. Before and after pics.

Oh no...not good!

He’s literally been sat there for two days now and not moved. We’ve tried moving him and he just goes straight back and sits on top of it. Don’t know what to do other than remove him. There’s a blue legged hermit sitting against it as well.

Thanks for letting me know your experience as it does help coming from a newbie to reefing.

 

[anthonygf]

Oh no...not good!

He’s literally been sat there for two days now and not moved. We’ve tried moving him and he just goes straight back and sits on top of it. Don’t know what to do other than remove him. There’s a blue legged hermit sitting against it as well.

Thanks for letting me know your experience as it does help coming from a newbie to reefing.

Been doing this for 7 years now, that monti was around 5 years old. When I upgraded to 75 last year the aiptasia spread really quick. Had it under control for a couple years then boom, exploded. Removed all rock and fragged all corals, cleaned rocks for a week then put them all back in. I added extra bio media beforehand to reseed cleaned rocks. After rocks had built up a little bacteria I removed all bio media a section at a time to clean it as well, because it had become infested with aiptasia. Now I am still battling the uglies again but no amonia spikes. Everything is growing again, my clam grew about 1/2 inch in the past 2 months. Also loaded up on a couple dozen new coral frags. Still aiptasia free now. First pic Jan just before removing rocks and 2nd is March, my monti is still struggling through the ugly stage. I need to keep blowing off the algae on the monti but is getting better. The Kenya tree and my clowns have been with me for 7 years.

 

[anthonygf]

In the first pic you can see all the broken monti branches laying around from the hermit pests!

 

[DeeLeeReef]

In the first pic you can see all the broken monti branches laying around from the hermit pests!

Wow! You’re tank looks amazing . You’ve obviously done a very good recovery job and it appears everything is thriving again. I can only imagine it must be devastating to see a coral being destroyed by the evil little hermits. My whole outlook on them has changed considerably in the very short time we’ve had our tank. Thanks for your words of knowledge as this does help us on our journey...keep up the good work!

 

[anthonygf]

Wow! You’re tank looks amazing . You’ve obviously done a very good recovery job and it appears everything is thriving again. I can only imagine it must be devastating to see a coral being destroyed by the evil little hermits. My whole outlook on them has changed considerably in the very short time we’ve had our tank. Thanks for your words of knowledge as this does help us on our journey...keep up the good work!

Thanks for the kind words. Just a little setback, part of the hobbie is to take the bad with the good and learn from it. You will go through some rough patches as well, just don't let it get you discouraged. Go slow in everything you do. In 7 years and still learning. Happy reefing.