Large Hermit crabs worry me.

[MyMonkey]

I have 4 hermit crabs I can't seem to ID. They are fairly large. They have greenish legs with Vertical stripes down the length of them. Here is a fuzzy pic to aid in the ID. Thanks.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/ ... G_2839.jpg

 

[WRASSER]

How long have you had them, If you havent had a problem up to now i wouldnt worry about them.

 

[MyMonkey]

They came with the tank. 8O I was not expecting them. The tank has only been up for about 3 weeks. Just wanted to make sure they were not a risk to my fish. The clowns seem interested in them for some reason. They follow them around looking at the crab. I have heard that some hermit crabs are oportunistic fish eaters. However, I found no pic that resembled these crabs I have. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

It's a species of Clibanarius, quite possibly Clibanarius vittatus a harmless omnivore.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[MyMonkey]

That's it. Clibanarius vittatus. Thanks It seems the only problem they have is attacking other shelled animals to get their shells from what I read. So, I guess they will be fine for a while. I will try to find them some various shells to swap out in order to keep them happy. I may eventually trade them out for some Scarlets Hermits or some Red LEgged ones. Thanks again. I love this site. Found a great pic of one out of the shell too. http://www.gsmfc.org/seamap/picture_gui ... ttatus.pdf

 

[Anonymous]

Totally off-topic question.
But are you, by chance, the same MyMonkey who plays on x-box live as MyMonkey?

 

[WRASSER]

8O 8O 8O 8) 8)

 

[MyMonkey]

Sorry, no. I rarely play on X-Box live. However, MyMonkey is a Trademark of mine and my Cousin. That is likely my Cousin. He plays Halo all the time it seems. His email is [email protected]

 

[Anonymous]

*adds mymonkey to friends list in xbox*
new halo levels are sweet

 

[bhanson]

Yes they are....

 

[garagebrian]

I had one of these guys in my sump and it completely decimated my featherduster population, there were none left after a few weeks. It did eat some hair algae, but it was too destructive to featherdusters for me to keep.

B.

 

[MyMonkey]

Thanks for that info Brian. Well then, since I dig featherdusters, these Hermits will have to go. Once my tanks' cycle is complete I will pick up some other hermits and snails. Any idea on how to get rid of these guys? Maybe lfs, or anyone wana adopt some Hermit kids?

 

[garagebrian]

Well, I wouldn't say they have to go right away, it is possible they are a different species, we all know how ID'ing by pictures is terrible. Maybe place a couple in the sump with those small white featherdusters and see what happens.

B.

 

[MyMonkey]

Unfortunately. I have no sump. I have considered adding one to my existing setup with overflow. However, the risk of flood is just too great. This is my First SW so next time I wil certainly go Reef Ready. For now though, I will make do with what I can with no sump. I have seen HOB filters turned into refugiums, I may consider that. Not sure what good that will do me though. I have seen your tank thread. Very nice. Love the setup.

 

[garagebrian]

Unfortunately. I have no sump. I have considered adding one to my existing setup with overflow. However, the risk of flood is just too great. This is my First SW so next time I wil certainly go Reef Ready. For now though, I will make do with what I can with no sump. I have seen HOB filters turned into refugiums, I may consider that. Not sure what good that will do me though. I have seen your tank thread. Very nice. Love the setup.

Thanks, always glad to hear people follow my thread. I'm going to be posting some pictures soon of some cool nudibranch hitchhikers I found Yeah, Reef ready is the way to go for sure. If you can get a HOB filter and make a refugium it will definitely help your tank. Get the biggest HOB filter you can and a separate small light to light up some cheato algae on a reverse cycle. Any competition you can do to reduce nuisance algae is great

 

[bhanson]

Any body know how big the Zebra hermit crabs (Calcinus laevimanus) can get? I have some that are starting to get pretty large, I dont want them to start eating things that cost money

 

[Anonymous]

Any body know how big the Zebra hermit crabs (Calcinus laevimanus) can get? I have some that are starting to get pretty large, I dont want them to start eating things that cost money

Body length a little over 2".

Regards,
David Mohr