{"id":90600,"date":"2022-04-22T12:11:33","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/"},"modified":"2022-04-22T12:11:33","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:11:33","slug":"do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/","title":{"rendered":"Do hermit crabs damage corals?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Do_hermit_crabs_damage_corals\" title=\"Do hermit crabs damage corals?\">Do hermit crabs damage corals?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Will_Hermits_eat_coral\" title=\"Will Hermits eat coral?\">Will Hermits eat coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Can_crabs_eat_coral\" title=\"Can crabs eat coral?\">Can crabs eat coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Do_blue_leg_hermit_crabs_eat_coral\" title=\"Do blue leg hermit crabs eat coral?\">Do blue leg hermit crabs eat coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Will_hermit_crabs_eat_my_coral\" title=\"Will hermit crabs eat my coral?\">Will hermit crabs eat my coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Will_crabs_eat_my_coral\" title=\"Will crabs eat my coral?\">Will crabs eat my coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Are_hermit_crabs_reef_safe\" title=\"Are hermit crabs reef safe?\">Are hermit crabs reef safe?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Are_hermit_crabs_OK_with_coral\" title=\"Are hermit crabs OK with coral?\">Are hermit crabs OK with coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Who_eats_coral\" title=\"Who eats coral?\">Who eats coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#What_do_marine_Hermits_eat\" title=\"What do marine Hermits eat?\">What do marine Hermits eat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#What_kind_of_crab_eats_coral\" title=\"What kind of crab eats coral?\">What kind of crab eats coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#What_does_the_crab_do_to_coral\" title=\"What does the crab do to coral?\">What does the crab do to coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Will_emerald_crabs_eat_coral\" title=\"Will emerald crabs eat coral?\">Will emerald crabs eat coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Do_hermit_crabs_eat_corals\" title=\"Do hermit crabs eat corals?\">Do hermit crabs eat corals?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Are_blue_leg_hermit_crabs_reef_safe\" title=\"Are blue leg hermit crabs reef safe?\">Are blue leg hermit crabs reef safe?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Do_crabs_eat_corals\" title=\"Do crabs eat corals?\">Do crabs eat corals?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Do_hermit_crabs_harm_corals\" title=\"Do hermit crabs harm corals?\">Do hermit crabs harm corals?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#What_do_hermit_crabs_eat_in_a_reef_tank\" title=\"What do hermit crabs eat in a reef tank?\">What do hermit crabs eat in a reef tank?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Will_hermit_crabs_hurt_my_coral\" title=\"Will hermit crabs hurt my coral?\">Will hermit crabs hurt my coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Will_emerald_crabs_eat_my_coral\" title=\"Will emerald crabs eat my coral?\">Will emerald crabs eat my coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#What_do_crabs_do_for_coral\" title=\"What do crabs do for coral?\">What do crabs do for coral?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Are_hermit_crabs_good_for_saltwater_aquariums\" title=\"Are hermit crabs good for saltwater aquariums?\">Are hermit crabs good for saltwater aquariums?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Are_any_crabs_reef_safe\" title=\"Are any crabs reef safe?\">Are any crabs reef safe?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#Do_hermit_crabs_live_in_coral_reefs\" title=\"Do hermit crabs live in coral reefs?\">Do hermit crabs live in coral reefs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-hermit-crabs-damage-corals\/#What_is_poisonous_to_hermit_crabs\" title=\"What is poisonous to hermit crabs?\">What is poisonous to hermit crabs?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_hermit_crabs_damage_corals\"><\/span>Do hermit crabs damage corals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Not all hermit crabs are considered safe for reef tanks. In fact, <b>many hermit crabs are known to destroy corals, eat other invertebrates, and even eat fish.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_Hermits_eat_coral\"><\/span>Will Hermits eat coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>No. <\/b><b>They will eat dead flesh however. It could be the crabs walked all over the coral and its just not happy.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_crabs_eat_coral\"><\/span>Can crabs eat coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>So in shorts, <b>emeralds crabs do eat coral, but only when they have to. On the other hand, for many reasons, including climate change, coral reefs are dying around the world. But scientists say some crabs eat coral-choking seaweed and algae and may help with restoring coral reefs.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_blue_leg_hermit_crabs_eat_coral\"><\/span>Do blue leg hermit crabs eat coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Should I remove the crab? Generally, <b>they should not be eating any type or coral at all. It is most likely something else or a water quality problem. They crawl all over coral all the time and will pick algae\/detritus out of the crevices which can make them appear to be eating coral.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_hermit_crabs_eat_my_coral\"><\/span>Will hermit crabs eat my coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Yes, Some hermits will eat coral. Reef hermit crabs are primarily detritivores, meaning they eat bits of dead or decaying matter they find on the coral reef. Other species are algae eaters and are considered desirable in marine aquariums for this reason.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_crabs_eat_my_coral\"><\/span>Will crabs eat my coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>No. <\/b><b>They will eat dead flesh however. It could be the crabs walked all over the coral and its just not happy. Happens in my tank all the time.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_hermit_crabs_reef_safe\"><\/span>Are hermit crabs reef safe?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Blue Leg Hermit Crab can grow large enough to inhabit a one and a half inch shell, and does well in groups. While <b>they are considered reef safe, they may attack snails for their shells, having extra empty hermit shells available for them can reduce this behavior.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_hermit_crabs_OK_with_coral\"><\/span>Are hermit crabs OK with coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Not all hermit crabs are considered safe for reef tanks. In fact, <b>many hermit crabs are known to destroy corals, eat other invertebrates, and even eat fish.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_eats_coral\"><\/span>Who eats coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Should I remove the crab? Generally, <b>they should not be eating any type or coral at all. It is most likely something else or a water quality problem. They crawl all over coral all the time and will pick algae\/detritus out of the crevices which can make them appear to be eating coral.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_marine_Hermits_eat\"><\/span>What do marine Hermits eat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In addition to weather, corals are vulnerable to predation. <b>Fish, marine worms, barnacles, crabs, snails and sea stars all prey on the soft inner tissues of coral polyps.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_kind_of_crab_eats_coral\"><\/span>What kind of crab eats coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Reef hermit crabs<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_the_crab_do_to_coral\"><\/span>What does the crab do to coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In addition to weather, corals are vulnerable to predation. <b>Fish, marine worms, barnacles, crabs, snails and sea stars all prey on the soft inner tissues of coral polyps.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_emerald_crabs_eat_coral\"><\/span>Will emerald crabs eat coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>These crabs primarily <b>feed on coral mucus which has high lipid content and on detritus trapped in the coral mucus. They use specialized feeding appendages on the tips of their claws to stimulate their host colonies to produce excess mucus. Research has shown that corals contain large amounts of lipids in their tissues.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_hermit_crabs_eat_corals\"><\/span>Do hermit crabs eat corals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Reef hermit crabs are primarily detritivores, meaning they eat bits of dead or decaying matter they find on the coral reef. Other species are algae eaters and are considered desirable in marine aquariums for this reason. <b>If theyre especially hungry, hermits may snack on living sessile organisms, like corals or clams<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_blue_leg_hermit_crabs_reef_safe\"><\/span>Are blue leg hermit crabs reef safe?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Not all hermit crabs are considered safe for reef tanks. In fact, <b>many hermit crabs are known to destroy corals, eat other invertebrates, and even eat fish.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_crabs_eat_corals\"><\/span>Do crabs eat corals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Blue Leg Hermit Crab can grow large enough to inhabit a one and a half inch shell, and does well in groups. While <b>they are considered reef safe, they may attack snails for their shells, having extra empty hermit shells available for them can reduce this behavior.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_hermit_crabs_harm_corals\"><\/span>Do hermit crabs harm corals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>About Hermit Crabs <b>Properly chosen hermit crabs should have no negative impact on a reef system. In fact, they are solely beneficial.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_hermit_crabs_eat_in_a_reef_tank\"><\/span>What do hermit crabs eat in a reef tank?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>No. <\/b><b>They will eat dead flesh however. It could be the crabs walked all over the coral and its just not happy.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_hermit_crabs_hurt_my_coral\"><\/span>Will hermit crabs hurt my coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Reef hermit crabs<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_emerald_crabs_eat_my_coral\"><\/span>Will emerald crabs eat my coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>About Hermit Crabs Yep, most species will eat just about anything they can find. For this reason, they make ideal cleaners for a reef tank, as long as you choose a Reef Safe Hermit Crab. <b>Properly chosen hermit crabs should have no negative impact on a reef system. In fact, they are solely beneficial.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_crabs_do_for_coral\"><\/span>What do crabs do for coral?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Its an opportunistic omnivore that, in addition to grazing algae, will scavenge dead animals and <b>may even attack and consume live onesincluding coral polyps and small fishes.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_hermit_crabs_good_for_saltwater_aquariums\"><\/span>Are hermit crabs good for saltwater aquariums?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>About Hermit Crabs Yep, most species will eat just about anything they can find. For this reason, they make ideal cleaners for a reef tank, as long as you choose a Reef Safe Hermit Crab. <b>Properly chosen hermit crabs should have no negative impact on a reef system. In fact, they are solely beneficial.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_any_crabs_reef_safe\"><\/span>Are any crabs reef safe?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While there are very large hermit crabs, <b>the ones that are best for saltwater aquariums are smaller, such as the Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab. The Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati) is a peaceful crab that is used for algae and detritus control. They are very hardy and require little care.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_hermit_crabs_live_in_coral_reefs\"><\/span>Do hermit crabs live in coral reefs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Emerald Crabs, Blue Leg and Scarlet Reef Hermits are among the many Crabs and Hermit Crabs that we offer. Our authentic Blue Legs and Emerald Crabs are perfectly sized for beginner or advanced hobbyists. These are essential to a reef and are generally regarded as reef safe.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_poisonous_to_hermit_crabs\"><\/span>What is poisonous to hermit crabs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>About Hermit Crabs <b>Properly chosen hermit crabs should have no negative impact on a reef system. In fact, they are solely beneficial.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Do hermit crabs damage corals?Will Hermits eat coral?Can crabs eat coral?Do blue leg hermit crabs eat coral?Will hermit crabs eat my coral?Will crabs eat my coral?Are hermit crabs reef safe?Are hermit crabs OK with coral?Who eats coral?What do marine Hermits eat?What kind of crab eats coral?What does the crab do to coral?Will&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-90600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90600"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=90600"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90600\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=90600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=90600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=90600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}