What the heck is my hermit crab eating here?

helveticahero

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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

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Looks like maybe a polyp of something.

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

littlefoxx

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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

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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

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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
 
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helveticahero

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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:
 

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