I've noticed that a few of my crabs and snails are growing these white hair like things on their shells. Friend? Foe? Neutral? Thanks for your help.
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+1First one looks like either, spionid worms (not technically harmful, but they can spread to huge populations and look very unsightly), sponges (harmless filter feeders), or both - personally I’d remove any spionids.
The second pic looks like hydroids, and those you would want to remove.
Is it best to just remove the crab(s) with hydroids? Is there anyway to force them to take a different shell so I don't have to terminate the crab itself?First one looks like either, spionid worms (not technically harmful, but they can spread to huge populations and look very unsightly), sponges (harmless filter feeders), or both - personally I’d remove any spionids.
The second pic looks like hydroids, and those you would want to remove.
It may go for another shell, but I would count on it. I’d probably take the crab from the display tank and put it in a little bucket or bowl of tank water for cleaning/treatment.Is it best to just remove the crab(s) with hydroids? Is there anyway to force them to take a different shell so I don't have to terminate the crab itself?
You can carefully rub hydrogen peroxide onto their shell with a paper towl or q-tip. I do this to every crab or snail before they enter the tank.Is it best to just remove the crab(s) with hydroids? Is there anyway to force them to take a different shell so I don't have to terminate the crab itself?
Good idea. I'm going to try that with a model paintbrush, might be easier to get into the spiny shell surface. Thanks!You can carefully rub hydrogen peroxide onto their shell with a paper towl or q-tip. I do this to every crab or snail before they enter the tank.