Peppermint Shrimp

[willmsbrg]

Morning,

I currently have 2 peppermint shrimp, 5 asteria snails and 5 baha hermits and 1 blueleg (came as a hitchhiker). Are the hermits ok for a reef set-up? I do not have anything in my tank at present other than these and rock and sand... no corals or fish.

also, should I be feeding the shrimp and if so what? Especially since I am not feeding at all.... also should I even keep the hermits?
Thanks

 

[danmhippo]

Shrimps needs to be fed regularly (eg. once a day) to keep them from trampling over your corals in search of food. Sprinkle flakes near them.

My own experience with hermits are no matter what kind they are, they will eventually nip your coral polyps. That's just my opinion.

 

[willmsbrg]

I was wondering...about the hermits.. So you think just feeding the shrimp some standard flake food? I believe 1 of the shrimp molted last evening..I guess I just didn't want them to starve..since I am not feeding the tank at present...

 

[Anonymous]

Peppermints are scavengers and will eat pretty much whatever they can find. Algae, detritus, scrounged flake food, dead animals, etc. So if you have no wasted flake food, or other detritus, they will run around your rocks picking off whatever they can. I believe they've been known to nibble on certain species of anenome too. They'll almost certainly eat any type of fish food you drop in there. I think with peppermints and snails (or other scavenger/algae eaters), hermits are unneeded.

 

[willmsbrg]

hmmm, I suppose I will remove the hermits soon enough.. I also noticed last night after lights out I have 2 additional snails.. These are very fast movers.. with what looks like trunks.. Any thoughts on what these are? I think they are those (sp?) nassarsus snails? Are these a good or bad addition,.. I suppose these were hikers in my rock...

 

[Reefguide]

I've had hermits nip at polyps, and the larger ones started muching on my Xenoas... I hate the little buggers !! My vote is loose the hermits !

 

[willmsbrg]

hmmm Ok that can be arranged.. problem around my way is I wouldn't know what to do with them.. only store in my neck of the woods is a poorly (VERY) Pet*o... can't see them paying for hermits when they can't take very good care of the stuff they have... 8O I would really love to get a mated pair of clowns.. Any ideas on a good online store for these?

 

[Anonymous]

I also noticed last night after lights out I have 2 additional snails.. These are very fast movers.. with what looks like trunks.. Any thoughts on what these are? I think they are those (sp?) nassarsus snails? Are these a good or bad addition,.. I suppose these were hikers in my rock...

If they are Nassarius sp. snail then they are a good addition.

However, Nassarius are sand dwellers and rarely climb onto the rocks. As a result I believe you probably have some type of Whelk, most of which are predatory.

You might want to try posting a picture to get an Id, or at least watch them carefully.

 

[willmsbrg]

whelk.. wel that may be what these are.. I will have to keep an evil eye on those.. cause they are moving all over my rock at night.... if that is the case THEY are gone for sure... my rock is only 2 weeks old.. I would like to see something grow and not get mowed over everyday... :x