Emerald Crabs, and other Crew Members

Katie217

Katie217

Superstar Fish
#1
Jul 15, 2006
2,494
5
0
Florida
#1
Since the cycle in my nano is going good, its about time to start thinking about what species I want for my clean up crew in the 5gal nano.
The LFS has a few nice emerald crabs...
1) do they get too big for my tank?
2) are they reef safe?
3) are they even a good idea for a CUC member?

Also, since the tank is so small, how many snails and hermits should i get? and what species? Ive been doing research on my own, but keep getting mixed answers.
some places say I could do a cleaner shrimp, or a coral banded shrimp, yet others say no. could i do either?
also, what kind of snails should i get? and how many?
hermits? im leaning towards getting scarlets, but the LFS mainly has these hermits with black and white stripped legs, are those reef safe etc? and if they are, how many should i get?
sorry for the battering of noob questions! *laughingc
thanks alot guys :D
 

ram man

ram man

Superstar Fish
#2
Apr 16, 2005
1,441
4
38
33
Arizona
#2
All of the things I am going to tell you are my opinion, some one is bound to disagree with me.

Emerald crabs make great additions to a reef tank. One would work for a 5 gallon and imo are worth it. For snails get 1 astrea, and some cerith snails, ceriths burrow into the substrate, and reproduce easily in aquariums. 3 scarlet reef hermits for the tank. No coral banded shrimp, they get to big and aggresive for a 5 gallon. A skunk cleaner would do fine in your tank.

Any other questions?
 

Katie217

Katie217

Superstar Fish
#3
Jul 15, 2006
2,494
5
0
Florida
#3
Thanks alot Ram, I know I can trust you.
So I should go for the emerald once the tank is cycled? Cool! They look so awesome. Now, how do I know Im getting astrea snails and ceriths? Are their shells different or something? I know we've talked about scarlets before, I think I'll try and get my hands on a few of those. So a skunk cleaner? Are those the ones with the big whisker type things on them?
Thanks Ram :D
 

CAPSLOCK

CAPSLOCK

Elite Fish
#9
Jul 19, 2004
3,682
33
48
39
Cape Cod
#9
Also check out bumblebee snails. Gorgeous, stay very small (1/2"), crawl all over the live rock. And you'd be able to see them pretty often in a nano (they don't purposely hide, but they do like all the crevices in the rocks).
 

Katie217

Katie217

Superstar Fish
#10
Jul 15, 2006
2,494
5
0
Florida
#10
anyone heard of the hermits im talking about? black and white stripped legs? are they reef safe?? the LFS has a buttload of those guys, and they look cool
 

Lorna

Lorna

Elite Fish
#13
Mar 3, 2005
3,082
4
0
NE Indiana
#13
nassarius are great for sand beds, just make sure you are getting true nassarius and not the ones from temperate water which may live a while but eventually die off.....ceriths are great for cleaning glass and rocks......hermits.....don't get anything except scarlets....or blue legs....any others are more trouble than they are worth, they are pretty aggressive and shell jack anything with a shell even if you have empties laying around.

a brittle star may be a good idea as you have sand.....a skunk cleaner and or peppermint shrimp would be great too.....I would stay away from the emerald crab for now ......astrea snails are good too....
 

Lorna

Lorna

Elite Fish
#16
Mar 3, 2005
3,082
4
0
NE Indiana
#16
Emerald crabs although nice when they are small can become troublesome as they get bigger. They are great if you have a lot of bubble algae to get rid of.......most crabs can become fish eaters when they get larger......I would personally not even put hermits in my tank if I had but known.......the only ones of those I recommend are scarlets...
 

Katie217

Katie217

Superstar Fish
#18
Jul 15, 2006
2,494
5
0
Florida
#18
Yeah ill try to get my hands on some scarlets for sure. thanks alot for the info. but how do i know what im getting as far as snails? just shell pattern and shape im assuming right?
 

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