Crabs VS. Snails

[meinkfr]

I noticed yesterday that my hermits were eating a snail that had tipped upside down. I had noticed several snail shells empty over the last few months and could not figure out why. My water quality has been good. Is it fare to assume that the hermits are attacking and eating the snails? I have blue hermits and red hermits along with the two emerald crabs in the tank long with turbo Astrea and Margarita snails. The possible carnage has only affected the margarita and astrea's. Thanks for the info.

 

[bhanson]

Hermits are a natural predator of some snails. I guess if they see a better home (shell) than the one they're in they want it

I went out and bought a bunch of empty shells for my hermits to move into. Just dump the empty shells into the tank and they will change as needed. If you buy some make sure to boil the empty shells in some water to disinfect. Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldnt say that hermits are a natural predator, they are more like opportunists...they will eat a snail for a new and larger home...they key to keeping hermits is to provide bigger shells in the tank and perhaps keep larger snails...i have 4 large turbos, id say about 2/3 the size of a golf ball and since hermits are about 1.5in with shell they dont see a need to attack my snails...

 

[c0yote]

Noticing a hermit eating something isn't always 'smoking gun' evidence. Being on the janitorial side of the life cycle, they may have just been eating an already dead/dying animal.

 

[meinkfr]

None of the hermits moved into the shells of te snainls that they ate. Maybe it was just coincidence. Seems quite odd for them to just die. Nothing else in the tank has shown signs of problems. Again thanks for the insight.

 

[PeeJ]

My red leg hermit crab ate anything it could crab. Took out two of my brittle stars. My zebra moray got tired of him I believe, and smashed him to pieces ( I think).

 

[ricky1414]

My red leg hermit crab ate anything it could crab.

Freudian slip? I have reds and blues that are on my watch list. they seem to have calmed down now, but earlier approx 5 crabs dessimated about 25 or so astrea snails. What can ya do? :roll:

 

[ebosshard]

Have had the same experience. Blue legged hermit eating snails in a 220g. Watched it happend 2 weeks ago but hasn't happened since. It was a larger crab vs a slightly smaller snail. Hermit won, didn't want the shell after the fact.

wonders of nature.