What's my hermit doing on my coral??

mizimmer90

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For the last week, one of my hermit crabs has been sitting ontop of my Duncan coral. Literally non-stop. It crawls in-between the polyps and seems to just be hanging out. I pulled him off a couple of times and he went right back to it.

At first I was worried he's nibbling the coral, but I don't see any signs of that. At first the Duncan minded him but lately has just accepted it and opens up anyways.

A few questions: is this typical? What's his end game? Is it okay for the coral long term?

Some pics:

20221110_082417.jpg


20221110_083753.jpg


I don't know if this is relevant, but I found a few barnacles on the Duncan too. Is this crab trying to eat the barnacles?
 

Sharkbait19

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If the coral doesn’t mind, it’s not an issue. Just seems like the crab likes that spot as a home. Not hosting as there isn’t anything symbiotic about it.
 

Form or function: Do you consider your rock work to be art or the platform for your coral?

  • Primarily art focused.

    Votes: 20 8.2%
  • Primarily a platform for coral.

    Votes: 43 17.7%
  • A bit of each - both art and a platform.

    Votes: 162 66.7%
  • Neither.

    Votes: 12 4.9%
  • Other.

    Votes: 6 2.5%
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