I have a Serial Killer

[KendraRae]

When I bought my 75 Gallon tank, I inherited the fish and inverts that came with it. Everything was moved to a holding tank while the 75 cycled.

I knew there was a shrimp in there. I was told by the previous owner it was a Peppermint Shrimp. I could never get a picture because it only came out at night and I rarely saw it.

Fast forward to the 75 cycled and all the fish moved. I'm guessing maybe it got brave since they were all gone. Out of the corner of my eye I saw it, during the day, with lights on. I got up to get a closer look, and watched that sucker walk over to a hermit crab, pull it out of its shell, walk away and start eating it. I was stunned.

I don't think I'll be putting him in the 75 gallon.

I still can't get a decent picture, but meet The Zodiac Kriller

 

[ElZesto]

I’ve always been warned away from peppermint shrimp outside of major aptasia problems because of their rep to eat everything. Never heard one eating a hermit before though that’s crazy!

 

[KendraRae]

Someone else mentioned it might be a camel shrimp instead. But I have no clue

 

[JumboShrimp]

I suppose in a situation like that, unless you're an eye witness to the homicide, it's hard to tell whether the crab died and was then eaten, or truly is a murder?!

 

[KendraRae]

I suppose in a situation like that, unless you're an eye witness to the homicide, it's hard to tell whether the crab died and was then eaten, or truly is a murder?!

I know it was alive the day before - now it could be a serial killer OR a cannibal .. The Opportunivore

 

[JumboShrimp]

Almost too frightening to think about, either way!

 

[code4]

I have only had peppermint shrimp that were model citizens. They will eat clams and feather dusters. I also only buy captive bred since I read that others look similar. Snails are to spendy for that guy to eat though.

 

[Hairyteeth]

He needs a serial
Killer name?

 

[Fishy888]

I don’t think it’s a camel shrimp. Their stripes are more of a white to off white color. These appear to be more beige. Also, I don’t see the camel shrimp “hump” for which they’re named.

The hermit might have been dead or dying. Typically they’d fight off the shrimp and hold onto their shell for dear life when they’re healthy.

Hermit crabs usually live 1 to 2 years, 2 being the exception rather than the rule. I’d leave it and watch closely if this was my system. Even though L. wurdemanni doesn’t actually eat aiptasia, they do eat leftover food, detritus and, to an extent, algae. L. bogessi, they are the aiptasia eaters.