My crabs are eating my Turbos

thirty5 · 08-28-2007, 10:46 AM

My larger blue legged hermits have been feasting on my snails. I am assuming that the crabs are not getting enough to eat. I have to say that i do FEED alot but i guess not enough. Should i feed the crabs with like some raw shrimp or something????

Chiefmcfuz · 08-28-2007, 10:46 AM

They tend to do this to get the shells as well.

"DevIouS" · 08-28-2007, 10:48 AM

Most go with Scarlet hermits because they are less aggressive.
They might be taking your snails out for thier shell.

"DevIouS" · 08-28-2007, 10:48 AM

I am getting slow!

thirty5 · 08-28-2007, 10:48 AM

WOW you are quick. Before i hit post i think you replied already LOL

I have heard that, but the shells are just laying there empty now. A few have been for weeks, i am not gonna take them out so that the crabs can move in, but i dont want to have to keep replacing the turbos (they do such a nice time keeping glass clean)

"DevIouS" · 08-28-2007, 10:50 AM

They have to try on to make sure it fits.
If not.....well:

thirty5 · 08-28-2007, 10:50 AM

Damn,
i dont want to have to take them out. I already had to give away my condi cause it was killing my mushrooms. My kids got upset, they will get mad if i get rid of the BIG BLUE ONES as they say.

Deanos · 08-28-2007, 10:55 AM

How old is the system? There may not be sufficient macroalgae/microalgae for the crabs (increasing their desire to eat snails) or for the snails (weakening them making them more vulnerable to hungry crabs).

Chiefmcfuz · 08-28-2007, 10:56 AM

It's survival of the fittest. Keep that in mind. Anyone with hermits has turbo casualties.

e.muehlbauer · 08-28-2007, 11:17 AM

Most likely the snails were weakened, and probably would have died anyway. First, the snails may not have enough of the right type of algae to eat...there may be plenty in the tank, but what they need nutritionally may be in short supply...possibly there is a change in water chemistry- turbo's are far more susceptible to chemistry changes than hermits or fish. They could have fallen down- turbo's and astreas have trouble righting them selves when they fall on their backs and there's nothing to grab on to. When a hermit sees a snail in this position, they go for it. Sometimes the crab inadvertantly rights the snail, in which case the snail is fine. If the snail weakens, the crab wins. Take care, Eric

08-28-2007, 10:46 AM	#1
thirty5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 704 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (0)	My crabs are eating my Turbos My larger blue legged hermits have been feasting on my snails. I am assuming that the crabs are not getting enough to eat. I have to say that i do FEED alot but i guess not enough. Should i feed the crabs with like some raw shrimp or something???? __________________ 175 Bow with alot of rocks and live stuff. &^#&%$(&@(&#&@ @&^#@&^@^ this was a test of the emergency broadcast system. If this were an actual emergency then the crap that you just read would have been followed by offical news or instructions. This was only a test.

08-28-2007, 10:46 AM	#2
Chiefmcfuz Big Nosed Lazy Reef Dummy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 11,139 Reefer Ratings: (21) Friends: (26)	They tend to do this to get the shells as well. __________________ Brendan I remember when people used to be nice in the RG DOWN WITH THE RGLMJ! Support MR Members, Vendors, and Sponsors! My reef tank 24 gallon Aquapod

08-28-2007, 10:48 AM	#5
thirty5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 704 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (0)	WOW you are quick. Before i hit post i think you replied already LOL I have heard that, but the shells are just laying there empty now. A few have been for weeks, i am not gonna take them out so that the crabs can move in, but i dont want to have to keep replacing the turbos (they do such a nice time keeping glass clean) __________________ 175 Bow with alot of rocks and live stuff. &^#&%$(&@(&#&@ @&^#@&^@^ this was a test of the emergency broadcast system. If this were an actual emergency then the crap that you just read would have been followed by offical news or instructions. This was only a test.

08-28-2007, 10:50 AM	#7
thirty5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 704 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (0)	Damn, i dont want to have to take them out. I already had to give away my condi cause it was killing my mushrooms. My kids got upset, they will get mad if i get rid of the BIG BLUE ONES as they say. __________________ 175 Bow with alot of rocks and live stuff. &^#&%$(&@(&#&@ @&^#@&^@^ this was a test of the emergency broadcast system. If this were an actual emergency then the crap that you just read would have been followed by offical news or instructions. This was only a test.

08-28-2007, 10:55 AM	#8
Deanos Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bronx, NY 10475 Posts: 11,889 Reefer Ratings: (96) Friends: (16)	How old is the system? There may not be sufficient macroalgae/microalgae for the crabs (increasing their desire to eat snails) or for the snails (weakening them making them more vulnerable to hungry crabs). __________________ Need help or have a question? Click the logo below:

08-28-2007, 10:48 AM	#3
"DevIouS" - Untitled - Join Date: May 2005 Location: Da B - X Posts: 6,827 Reefer Ratings: (61) Friends: (10)	Most go with Scarlet hermits because they are less aggressive. They might be taking your snails out for thier shell.

08-28-2007, 10:56 AM	#9
Chiefmcfuz Big Nosed Lazy Reef Dummy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 11,139 Reefer Ratings: (21) Friends: (26)	It's survival of the fittest. Keep that in mind. Anyone with hermits has turbo casualties. __________________ Brendan I remember when people used to be nice in the RG DOWN WITH THE RGLMJ! Support MR Members, Vendors, and Sponsors! My reef tank 24 gallon Aquapod

08-28-2007, 11:17 AM	#10
e.muehlbauer Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Rego Park, Queens Posts: 290 Reefer Ratings: (1) Friends: (0)	Most likely the snails were weakened, and probably would have died anyway. First, the snails may not have enough of the right type of algae to eat...there may be plenty in the tank, but what they need nutritionally may be in short supply...possibly there is a change in water chemistry- turbo's are far more susceptible to chemistry changes than hermits or fish. They could have fallen down- turbo's and astreas have trouble righting them selves when they fall on their backs and there's nothing to grab on to. When a hermit sees a snail in this position, they go for it. Sometimes the crab inadvertantly rights the snail, in which case the snail is fine. If the snail weakens, the crab wins. Take care, Eric

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