Did My Zebra Hermit Kill A Snail?

[Donya]

I found my small zebra hermit (Calcinus laevimanus) in one of my Nerite's shells today. The shell was from an individual that was alive yesterday, but has been acting oddly for several weeks. From what I have read, Calcinus laevimanus is not a shell snatcher like blue-legs are, but...do I have a smoking gun at the scene of the crime since that crab is the one in the shell instead of just an empty shell? Or is it more probable that the snail died and the hermit was just opportunistic? I am very surprised the crab went for that particular Nerite's shell, because it's a beaten up mess...not strong at all compared to other equally-sized Nerites in the tank. The only other animals in there are a margarita snail, 2 Astreas, and 1 red-tip hermit (Clibanarius, but not a blue-leg Clibanarius). I am fairly certain the Clibanarius did not do this since it's too big to be interested in small snails for shells.

 

[steelhealr]

You may never know for sure, but, snails you won't find in MY tank, based on other's experiences:

-zebras
-bumble bees
-conch type
-various hermits

SH

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

One of my red legged hermits ate a perfectly healthy astrea snail alive to take its shell. Now we call it astrea crab lol. But you never really know I guess.

 

[Donya]

I'm starting to think the zebra might not have done it...he doesn't like the new shell and keeps popping into other shells looking for a better alternative (indecisive little thing lol). There were so many other better Nerites he could have stollen a shell from I'm guessing it was probably the snail dieing first since it was the only one acting abnormally. I will keep an eye on the hermit's behavior, since I'd prefer not to take it back if I can avoid it.

I've heard bumblebee snails will eat other snails. Didn't know conches would pose problems.

 

[Donya]

Bummer...he's going back. Caught him going after another snail this morning but I think I found it in time. The snail he was going after was extreemly small so not a shell option for him; guess he just lieks escargot.

 

[Lovesfish]

yea those crabs are mean suckers beating up on the poor defenseless snails for shells. we have some hermits and 2 of them have found snail shells for themselves wonder how that one happened. well I hope your other snails are safe after you take him back. dave

 

[crazyelece]

Crabs are beneficial and snails are cheap, I'd just stock up on snails and let him be. You can usually find great deals on snails on ebay. I just got 200 nassarius snails for like $15 shipped with no deaths. It seems that snails like the glass and sand, crabs like the rock. Also diversity is good as they all eat different things.

 

[Mr Miagi]

IMO and IME, Hermits, unless they are micro hermits, are a PITA.

I much prefer the micros, they are quick scrap eaters, dont disturb corals, dont trample corals, and dont eat coral.

My hitchhiking mantis ate two of my snails recently. A hermit has now occupied its shell.

 

[Donya]

What is a micro hermit?

 

[Mr Miagi]

http/members.accesstoledo.com/hfmann/ima...icroHermits.jpg

Micro hermits are basically mini Hermit crabs. Dont know if they have a specific species, or if they are just young hermits, but the ones i have are about 1/10th the size of my normal hermits.

 

[Donya]

Well in that case my zebra hermit was a micro lol he was probably pea sized at biggest. Small but mean...I still feel like a jerk for taking him back though wish I'd had the resources to rehouse him instead.

My remaining & original hermit seems to be a pretty strict herbivore. I've tried to tempt it with various scavenger foods, but the only food successes have been: dried seaweed, spirulina pellets, my Caulerpa...and it grazes on my population of small sponges periodically. So far I've only gotten it to eat one shrimp pellet, and that was after it shed (probably needed the calcium/iodine content). I'm pretty sure it's Clibanarius ransoni, but of course I can't find any info out there in English about the species

 

[bunjiweb]

I have a green zebra hermit that really winds me up. It picks the biggest shells and actas like king of the tank even though it is not very big!

Ben