Hermit Crabs

sergeantbiggs · 01-03-2006, 09:02 PM

How Many hermits crabs should i have in a 55g Tank, There seems to be plenty of green hair algea to eat. I only have two would more be recommended. I saw on liveaquaria.com it recommened up to 12,

mc-cro · 01-04-2006, 04:51 PM

I have heard estimates of anywhere from 1 per gallon to 1 per 5 gallon.

I started with the 1 per gallon years ago. after about 6 months, I had about 1 per 5 gallons.

greenbean36191 · 01-04-2006, 06:17 PM

I wouldn't recommend any. They're all opportunistic, and IME sooner or later they're going to cause trouble of some sort or another. They can't do anything that snails can't either, so I stick with snails.

In any case, when you're stocking a clean-up crew start on the low side of the estimates and slowly increase as you need more. It doesn't make much sense to spend $100 on hermits and snails to have $50 worth starve to death.

showfish · 01-04-2006, 08:16 PM

I would also go with snails, and not crabs. In my first saltwater tank, I had a mix of snails and crabs, and it was a constant battle. Of course the crabs being victorious over the snails, killing them. Man I think I'm watching to many Bowl games.

showfish · 01-04-2006, 08:18 PM

P.S. I would recommed 1 snail per 5 gals. to start.

BubbaWPB · 01-04-2006, 08:57 PM

I just picked the last of my hermits outta my 75 gallon and tossed them in the refugium... they ate my queen conch, then wore her shell around as a trophy! YOU B*******S!

showfish · 01-04-2006, 09:35 PM

Sorry to hear of her demise Bubba, not a pleasant way to go. I think someone on this forum has a signature that reads “Just say no to crabs”

***Reefland*** · 01-04-2006, 09:37 PM

They are a bunch of bullies and I too recommend staying away from them. If they get the chance, they will attack!

CSeaSee · 01-04-2006, 10:30 PM

I'd go with emerald crabs, if you're going to go with a biological control. Of course, fixing the source of your hair algae (i.e. excess nutrients) is a better idea...

**The R/C Man** · 01-06-2006, 06:38 PM

It is definitly a balancing game that's for sure. I always recommend just adding the clean up crew a few at a time. As greenbean said, if you add to many they will starve. Also the tank will settle down over time and the ecosystem will become balanced. Personally I like a couple of the hermits walking around for astetic reasons. I just ensure they are fed by adding some pellet food that sinks to the bottom.

01-03-2006, 09:02 PM	#1
sergeantbiggs New in Town Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 4	Hermit Crabs How Many hermits crabs should i have in a 55g Tank, There seems to be plenty of green hair algea to eat. I only have two would more be recommended. I saw on liveaquaria.com it recommened up to 12,

01-04-2006, 06:17 PM	#3
greenbean36191 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Auburn/Huntsville, AL Posts: 239	I wouldn't recommend any. They're all opportunistic, and IME sooner or later they're going to cause trouble of some sort or another. They can't do anything that snails can't either, so I stick with snails. In any case, when you're stocking a clean-up crew start on the low side of the estimates and slowly increase as you need more. It doesn't make much sense to spend $100 on hermits and snails to have $50 worth starve to death. __________________ If you can't change the world, change history- TRT

01-04-2006, 08:16 PM	#4
showfish Citizen Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 186	I would also go with snails, and not crabs. In my first saltwater tank, I had a mix of snails and crabs, and it was a constant battle. Of course the crabs being victorious over the snails, killing them. Man I think I'm watching to many Bowl games. __________________ Learning is a lifelong process

01-04-2006, 08:18 PM	#5
showfish Citizen Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 186	P.S. I would recommed 1 snail per 5 gals. to start. __________________ Learning is a lifelong process

01-04-2006, 08:57 PM	#6
BubbaWPB Governor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,234	I just picked the last of my hermits outta my 75 gallon and tossed them in the refugium... they ate my queen conch, then wore her shell around as a trophy! YOU B*******S! __________________ Bubba Hmmm... now that the tank is full, I could convert the pool to saltwater... Bubba's Aquarium Log

01-04-2006, 04:51 PM	#2
mc-cro New in Town Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1	I have heard estimates of anywhere from 1 per gallon to 1 per 5 gallon. I started with the 1 per gallon years ago. after about 6 months, I had about 1 per 5 gallons.

01-04-2006, 09:35 PM	#7
showfish Citizen Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 186	Sorry to hear of her demise Bubba, not a pleasant way to go. I think someone on this forum has a signature that reads “Just say no to crabs” __________________ Learning is a lifelong process

01-04-2006, 09:37 PM	#8
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,023	They are a bunch of bullies and I too recommend staying away from them. If they get the chance, they will attack! __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

01-04-2006, 10:30 PM	#9
CSeaSee Mayor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 663	I'd go with emerald crabs, if you're going to go with a biological control. Of course, fixing the source of your hair algae (i.e. excess nutrients) is a better idea... __________________ Carl Just tell your wife that having a tank teaches you all sorts of new DIY skills...which will save lots of money around the house...so you can buy more stuff for your tank...so you can learn more skills...

01-06-2006, 06:38 PM	#10
The R/C Man Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 704	It is definitly a balancing game that's for sure. I always recommend just adding the clean up crew a few at a time. As greenbean said, if you add to many they will starve. Also the tank will settle down over time and the ecosystem will become balanced. Personally I like a couple of the hermits walking around for astetic reasons. I just ensure they are fed by adding some pellet food that sinks to the bottom. __________________ Greg 25 gallon reef with 20 gallon sump/fuge 375 gallon reef with 100 gallon sump/fuge: under construction Over time science has shown that the simplest answers are usually the correct ones.......

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