Queen Conch as a substitution for Hermit Crabs

[cmm1970austin]

A local shop owner suggested that I use queen conchs for detritus control and clean up in the sand be instead of hermit crabs. Any of you support this recommendation? Should they be used along with hermit crabs or will the crabs cause harm to the conch? Help me out with experiences relating to this idea.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Anonymous]

Queen conchs are more of an algae eater than anything else. They also grow quite large. You can try a fighting conch or any number of other smaller conchs to help keep algae from the sand bed.

I don't think hermits are a bad idea as long as you keep some of the more docile ones, though I haven't ever had any problems with blue legs and the like.

HTH

 

[Len]

I second fighting conches. They are excellent substitutes for hermits when it comes to keeping the sand clean. I personally don't like using hermit crabs. They often get aggressive and they don't live very long in my tanks. I use Conches, shrimps, snails, and emerald crabs.

 

[bleedingthought]

I like the conchs too. They do a good job of keeping the sand stirred up. Cool creatures to watch, also! 8) But I do have some hermits as well but they can be a little evil sometimes. Glad to know that your LFS didn't tell you you needed 2 hermits per gallon like some other stories I've heard (including one of the LFS in my area ).

 

[wasp9166]

i have scarletts and 3 fighting conchs, they dont bother em.............