What the heck is my hermit crab eating here?

helveticahero

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 5, 2023
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Location
nh
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I discovered my hermit munching on some strange thing and snapped a quick photo. It looked a little meaty, the crab was tearing chunks off and eating it. Maybe a snail?

It kind of resembles a zoanthid which I have plenty of, but I’ve never seen a hermit go after corals like that. Any ideas?

IMG_3505.jpeg
 

Tired

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 29, 2020
Messages
4,035
Reaction score
4,119
Location
Central Texas
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Looks like maybe a polyp of something.

Is that a thinstripe hermit? Those get quite large and aren't reef-safe.
 

littlefoxx

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 25, 2022
Messages
6,082
Reaction score
5,616
Location
Denver
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Looks like maybe a polyp of something.

Is that a thinstripe hermit? Those get quite large and aren't reef-safe.
Oh thats great. Ive got one of them in my tank that was sold as a “scarlet leg” hermit. Was planning on attempting a reef but good to know!
I discovered my hermit munching on some strange thing and snapped a quick photo. It looked a little meaty, the crab was tearing chunks off and eating it. Maybe a snail?

It kind of resembles a zoanthid which I have plenty of, but I’ve never seen a hermit go after corals like that. Any ideas?

IMG_3505.jpeg
Looks like a coral of some kind to me?
 

Tired

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 29, 2020
Messages
4,035
Reaction score
4,119
Location
Central Texas
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Oh thats great. Ive got one of them in my tank that was sold as a “scarlet leg” hermit. Was planning on attempting a reef but good to know!
I'm not entirely sure what that is in the photo, but it's definitely not a scarlet hermit. You can just pop yours in the sump, or rehome it, if it causes trouble.
 

littlefoxx

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 25, 2022
Messages
6,082
Reaction score
5,616
Location
Denver
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I'm not entirely sure what that is in the photo, but it's definitely not a scarlet hermit. You can just pop yours in the sump, or rehome it, if it causes trouble.
Yeah true. Its actually my favorite hermit though lol crawls on my hand when Im doing tank work! Personable little guy
 
OP
OP
H

helveticahero

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 5, 2023
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Location
nh
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Looks like maybe a polyp of something.

Is that a thinstripe hermit? Those get quite large and aren't reef-safe.
Good call! I wasn’t aware of the reef incompatibility there. He came from a CUC pack and has been in the tank for about a year with no issues, but now that he’s had a taste of coral I’ll have to keep an eye on him :face-with-raised-eyebrow:
 

Going off the ledge: Would you be interested in a drop off aquarium?

  • I currently have a drop off style aquarium

    Votes: 1 1.1%
  • I don’t currently have a drop off style aquarium, but I have in the past.

    Votes: 1 1.1%
  • I haven’t had a drop off style aquarium, but I plan to in the future.

    Votes: 13 14.3%
  • I am interested in a drop off style aquarium, but have no plans to add one in the future.

    Votes: 39 42.9%
  • I am not interested in a drop off style aquarium.

    Votes: 34 37.4%
  • Other.

    Votes: 3 3.3%
Back
Top