flame hawk and crabs

[Anonymous]

Considering adding a flame hawk but also like to keep a population of hermit crabs. Any tales of success/failure. I've heard both sides but would like some personal experiences. I'm not opposed to replacing a few crabs every so often, but don't want the hawk making a steady diet of them.
TIA

 

[Anonymous]

I'd forgo the hermit crab idea. For one thing their utility as reef janitors is questionable at best when considering the destruction they wreak. They tend to scour the rocks clean of everything, including tube worms, sponges, snails, etc.
Secondly, yes they will shake them loose from their shells and eat them.
Now if you just like crabs for their own sake, nothing wrong with one or two, just keep in mind they'll be a potential meal for that Hawk.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jim. I thought as much. I've never kept large crab populations, just a few for interest, but then they pick each other off anyway. Follow up question; would other crabs like emeralds, sallys, and the like also be at risk?
Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Most likely, but nothing is all the time. You can try a smaller hawk once the Sallies have a bit of size to them, but Sallies can be a danger to small fish as well. Aside from that, often the Hawk will sometimes decide at some point (usually sooner rather than later) that he's now big enough to go crabbin. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Gotcha. Thanks!