Hermit Crab Replacement & Fish As Protein Skimmer

[Craig J]

I had about a dozen hermit crabs in my tank until I got a green bird wrasse. Obviously I won't be getting any more of those snacks for him. The hermits were eating all the hair algae. Now that they're gone, I need something that will do that job. Any suggestions?

On another note, my Yellow Tang seems to have developed a liking for the waste from the other fish. He races to it and devours it. Is that normal?

 

[Anonymous]

Some tangs like to eat feces - Kole tangs seem to really like it. There is prolly plenty of good stuff left in it as the algae is hard to digest the first time around.

 

[Len]

I'm not a fan of hermit crabs anyhow; Good riddance i say Get some fighting or queen conches and perhaps a few Nassariidae snails to keep the substrate clean.

 

[Craig J]

Andy - Thanks for the info. That's good to know.

Len - Unfortunately I like those hermits. I like the fighting conchs and will look more into those snailsl, too. I have a 110 gal tank. How many fighting conchs would you advise? FYI the only other cleaners I have are 6 snails and a lawnmower blenny. I'd like to get a starfish, too. Will they eat the conch?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Mexican turbo snails mow down hair algae.

 

[Craig J]

I've been looking at those snails and conchs, but in the process have started considering a Tiger's Tail Cucumber and/or a starfish. Any thoughts on those as tank cleaners versus the snails and conchs?

 

[ChrisRD]

Cukes and stars fill different roles than snails so it's not really an either/or choice. For example the cuke will clean your sand, while many snail species feed primarily off the rocks and glass.

Also, when you say "starfish" what species are you referring to? There are quite a few and many are not reef safe.

 

[drbdc]

Sand sifting starfish will decimate your sand bed fluora and starve to death. A cucumber if it is a detrius eater and not a filter feeder is a good choice along with fighting conches. Nass but not the illynas. snails are good. Illy's will die w/in a year if you keep your tank at normal and optimal reef temps (81-84). They last longer if you keep your tank colder than optimal (i.e. in the 70's). Don't get a cucumber if you have hermits though as they will literally bother them to death. Queen conches are good but get very very large.