$$ the easy way.

[RazerCorals]

I know that some of you may have heard this.

Xenia is a coral that grows fairly fast. It can also be sold for almost nothing or a lot. Here it goes for $40-80 for about 20 stalks.

This coral is also easy to frag. Take a razor blade and slice off a space branch of the Xenia.

Then take that piece and glue it to a hermit crab shell. (with a crab inside)

Now you have a hermit crab with some Xenia on its shell. This is called walking Xenia. It can be sold for a lot more, with not very much work.

[Chryocon]

LOL nice trick, does that work well with any other corals? nI may be inventing mushroom crabs (LMAO) and tell my stupid LFS they are extremely rare (Just Kidding). But that is a really good idea

[RazerCorals]

It might work with any waving coral. I haven't tried with anything else.

[david]

I have been meaning to try that with Green star polyps.

Dave

[Zack]

good idea will have to try that!

[call69]

You could do that with large turbo snails, too...

[Chryocon]

Turbo Xenia.... I tell you it is only rasied in Taiwan and is a unique animal that has learned to live in two forms, plant and animal, it eats evil algeas such as hair algea and then uses the nutrients to grow a rare type of xenia on it's back. I bought these 32 online for 29.99 a piece but I am eilling to sell them to you for 11.99 a pice just because they have been reproducing so much..... That is what I would tell my local Petco :mrgreen:

[RazerCorals]

Rolf you gotta do a sales person voice too. Come in with the big money belt lol, it would be so funny.

[Chryocon]

Yah it would be :twisted:

[on_fire_8]

Does it effect the xenia when the hermit is in dark areas of the tank for long periods of time?

[Chryocon]

No idea.....probably yes but the point is to sell them not to keep them.....hate to sound evil, but it is a bit unhuman :?

[RazerCorals]

It's about selling it to the LFS. Don't care if it stays alive. They sell you stuff all the time and it dies.

[on_fire_8]

Im sorry to hear that some of you have such terrible LFSes. Mine is great, however, I know thats rare. I would never try to pull a slick one on them, they have never did me wrong.

[Chryocon]

I was just kidding.......it was all a joke, I don't think Petco would even buy from me.....

[RazerCorals]

They will, but only give you store credit.

[Zack]

It's about selling it to the LFS. Don't care if it stays alive. They sell you stuff all the time and it dies.

:roll: :roll: come on man...

[RazerCorals]

Is it not true? Seriously they don't give you a warranty on anything here. You buy it dies in the bag on the way home, tough luck. If they buy it and can't keep it alive it's their fault.

[Zack]

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :(

[Samurai]

It would really surprise me if anyone other than noobs or idiots fell for that one. There are real animals that are kind of like what you are describing:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=23&pCatId=1146

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=23&pCatId=624

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=23&pCatId=627

At least I hope these are real animals :lol:.

[on_fire_8]

Good posting, Samurai. I agree, to be honest most LFS would not fall for it.

[Samurai]

Good posting, Samurai. I agree, to be honest most LFS would not fall for it.

Thanks on_fire_8. Yeah, obviously I feel the same way, but just because they wouldn't fall for it doesn't mean that they wouldn't try and sell it to someone that would fall for it. I think the best way to get back at a LFS, or any business that you don't like, is just to stop giving them your business.

[Zack]

Not going to a lfs can be hard because there may only be one :cry:

[Samurai]

There are lots of places online that you can give your business to.

[Zack]

yeah, but a lot of people like me like to see there corals and such before they get them lol but good point!!

[Samurai]

With a lot of stores online you get a guarantee. I imagine that if the specimen you get does not meet your expectations than you can probably get them to take it back. Can't do that with most LFS's.

[Pineapple House]

At least I hope these are real animals :lol:.
I have never heard of a Staghorn Hermit crab before.

But, the others are real. Many hermits will stick small anemones on their claws, and around their shell. They use them as a defence, and will use them for a 'Power Punch.' The Anemones will sting anything that tries to eat the crab.

The decorator crab is another invertibrate which will stick algae, sponges, polyps, etc., onto its shell for camoflage.

But, I have to agree with everyone else about the Xenia Hermit :|

PH =)

[Samurai]

I have never heard of a Staghorn Hermit crab before.

I had never heard of a Staghorn Hermit before either. I wonder, since they are a hermit crab- where do they get their shell from? It's a cool looking little crab though, both with and without it's shell. I can believe that it's real because liveaquaria.com seems to be pretty straight up (started by two veterinarians) even though I have yet to do business with them. I did request a catalog from them and got it only two days later. To me this shows that they are trying to get and impress new business so I don't think they would endanger their livelihood by selling bogus animals.

Many hermits will stick small anemones on their claws, and around their shell. They use them as a defence, and will use them for a 'Power Punch.'

I have heard of some crabs doing this, in fact, in the latest issue of Marine Fish and Reef there is a great picture of a couple of them.

[Samurai]

Okay we have confirmation on the Staghorn Hermit crab...

http://www.reefsource.com/Species%20Database/staghorn_hermit.htm

I might have to get me one of those, but first I'm going to need to do some more research on them.

[Pineapple House]

wow, Good find Samurai!

Learn something new everyday :)

PH =)

[on_fire_8]

Pom Pom Crabs keep anenomes on their claws and are very entertaining to watch when a fish swims by.

I ordered a catalogue from Dr. Fosters and Smith about 4 times, and still never have recieved one. Plus, I have made a purchase from them when they were petwarehouse. This makes me very mad. How could they miss 4 requests?

[Chryocon]

If you libe in the middle of no where.....I would imagine it would be hard to ship a catalog to you :|

[Samurai]

WOW, that surprises me on_fire. Did you submit your request online via their webpage?

[BigFish]

My lfs had a staghorn hermit before but it was like $45 so why would you want one isn't it possible for the crab to move to a dif shell once he gets into your tank I know my tank has alot of extra shells so my norm hermits dont die from not having a small shell. I have also considered doing this before with finger coral but not sure if it would work would the coral live long enough for anything but .... U rthink a good lfs would actually fall for this mabe a few of the new employees would but they have no authorization to buy things anyway.

[Samurai]

I would want one just because they are cool looking and obviously fairly unknown animals. I don't know about them moving out of the staghorn- I had the same concern. I think the Staghorn Hermit comes with its special shell that way naturally and to try to duplicate it's uniqueness with something contrived would probably not be successful in the long run.

[killroysrevenge]

A Colony polyp hermit would be cool looking. With small polyps all over its shell. Probably would do ok when the crab decided to head to the shade.

I would like to see one of those xenia hermits. I bet it is cool looking.

The staghorn hermit looked awkward.

[RazerCorals]

Hey that's a good idea I've got this green sea mat that is dividing and polyps keep falling off. I'll just grab a bundle and glue em on.

[Samurai]

Post a picture when you do it, I have GOT to see this.

[Samurai]

Back with more info on that Staghorn Hermit :). It makes its home in a living Janaria Mirabilis (Staghorn Hydrocoral). As the crab grows, it hollows out the inside of its "shell" so that it will not outgrow it. They're also a lot smaller than they look, they only get about 2" max (including coral host). It's a very cool little critter and I am seriously considering getting one. They are supposed to be peaceful (don't need snail shells!), and they eat algae, detritus, AND Cyanobacteria :shock:. Kind of expensive, but I really think that this might be a must have :D. Its coral "shell" is supposed to eat particles of food leftover from the crab. Here is what someone in the know (Jason C) had to say about it (btw he's not chatting with me):

Staghorn Hermit Crab & Florescent Starfish
Hi, <<Hi - JasonC here at your service...>>
I am new to Marine Aquarium Keeping. I have a 55 gallon reef tank that in a little over a month old, I set it up using the GARF Bullet Proof Tank Method. It has 2 40watt Blue Moon and 2 40watt Triton florescent bulbs. Anyway, I ordered some starfish on the net and had lots of problems with getting them. So as a bonus to make me happy they are sending me a Florescent Starfish and a Staghorn Hermit Crab. <<Well... I couldn't find any information about a Fluorescent Starfish... you might want to peruse this page and see if you find it under a different name:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm >> I know nothing about the care of these two animals and can find little about them on the net. Could you tell me anything about there care (IE: lighting, food, current, supplements, compatibility etc.). I'm especially worried about trying to keep the Staghorn Coral (that the crab lives in alive) will the lighting on my tank be enough to keep the coral alive? &lt;<In the long haul, I don't think so.>> I have a large Goniopora, and 15 assorted soft coral fragments (from Garf) that are all doing quite well. &lt;&lt;That Goniopora probably won't last long under this lighting for very long - success with this particular coral eludes even the experts and seems to do well only in lagoon/green water type systems. The others will likely be fine.>> But I have read that stony corals need more light and an older more mature reef tank to survive. &lt;&lt;That is absolutely the case.>> Any help with the care of the above mentioned animals would be much appreciated. (By the way I can't spell worth diddly) &lt;&lt;Neither can I - I use spelling checkers like they were tissue paper. But back to your staghorn hermit - these are "supposed" to be something between a detritivore and a herbivore. Personally, I don't really trust crabs of any type, but these seem to be pretty reef friendly. Your largest concern would be keeping the coral hat healthy, and coincidentally it isn't actually an acroporid staghorn, but more hyrozoan or bryozoan in nature - much less demanding of intense lighting. I would just continue your normal feeding regimen and all will likely be fine.>>
I also have a question about a hichhiker that is in my tank. It looks like a tiny crawfish about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, it is a light grayish color with long whiskers and claws about the same size as my mexican red leg hermits, they are the same color as the body with yellow on the tips of the claws. &lt;&lt;Sounds more like a baby lobster of some variety.>> It has made tunnels all under my live rock with little opening here and there that he covers with little piles of gravel, he has different exits opened on different days and I have only seen him venture out of his caves once, and then he only came out the length of his body and only for a second. He is interesting to watch when I can figure out which hole he is by, he is constantly rebuilding the hills in front of his exits, usually all you see is an occasional claw or whisker and lots of little pieces of gravel being piled up in front of the holes he's made. Any idea what this curious little creature is, or what It's care needs and reef compatibility might be? &lt;&lt;Again, just stick with the normal plan, no extra care necessary - if this is a lobster, it will fend for itself.>> I don't think he's any threat right now since he's so small (other than maybe toppling my liverock with all of his tunnels), but when he gets bigger I'm worried he may want to eat some of my reef inhabitants that I don't wish to have used as food. &lt;<I was going to say that, but you may well have to catch and get rid of this fella at some point in the near future. Sounds like no worries for now.>>
Thanks in advance for your help
Terri
&lt;&lt;Cheers, J -- >>

[RazerCorals]

LOL I just though of something hilarious. We could buy some cheap polyps then glue them to the tops of mushrooms. Anyone else think that'd look odd?

[Chryocon]

wouldn't the mushrooms kill the polyps..?

[BigFish]

probably but sell it b4 the polyps die lol then you would never be able to go into your lfs again :mrgreen:

[killroysrevenge]

You could glue xenia to a puffer and have puffing xenia. :twisted:

You could glue 2 hermit crabs shells together end to end and have a hermit pull. :twisted:

Or fill your tank up with clear epoxy and place your fish and corals where you wanted them befor the epoxy dried. :evil:

Disclaimer: The aboved mentioned ideas are to be read in humor and not taken litterally. If you or others actually try any of the above mentioned activities, you owe me $1,000,000.00. Due within 30 days of the date in which the activity is attempted.

[Chryocon]

Crap, I already glewed my hermites together :(

[killroysrevenge]

Thanks Chryocon. Now I can afford the tank that I want. In the words of Dr. Evil, One Million Dollars.

[Chryocon]

NOOOOOO!!!!!!! I have been Defeated :evil:

[Zack]

NOOOOOO!!!!!!! I have been Defeated :evil:
:lol:

[RazerCorals]

Has anyone ever seen/found any simese fish in your LFS? or found some conjoined snails in your tank?

[BigFish]

not in my lfs but, at my old school we had a tank set up to hatch salmon eggs then we would release hem at the end of the school year, anyway Every ear there was at least 1 or 2 (depending on how you look at technically it is two fish in one body) However the conjoined ones would only live a week or two. I guess it is not able to eat well enough, or something.

[RazerCorals]

OK cause I think that'd be awesome to have conjoined clownfish. Since they already sort of wobble while they swim. They would be doing cart-wheels.

[BigFish]

he he lol I dont think it would live long enough to swim like the adult clowns do. But it sure would be cool if it did. Usually they were joined at the head. But on ocassion they had two heads.

[killroysrevenge]

If you figure out how to get a snowflake eel with 2 heads, let me know. 1 head on each end.

[BigFish]

he he he that would be cool. I think it would have a hard time doing its thing though (going poop)

:mrgreen:

[Pineapple House]

We've gone extremely off topic here. Unless we get off the subject of things with two heads or mutated animals, this topic will be closed.

Graham

[Chryocon]

Can you split it PH? Things with 2 heads and mutated bodies are cool(except my little sister)......

[Zack]

why close when u can split??

[Pineapple House]

why close when u can split??
...and make another pointless topic? (in my opinion. Nobody has to agree with me on that one)

Yes, I can indeed split the topic into another thread, but why? We all came here for one thing, to talk about reefs, correct? We didn't come here to talk about mutated animals (I hope :wink:). We're not going to waste time talking about two headed creatures, when they're real topics out there, which need an answer. You can talk about this via PM, Email, or simply through the reeflounge chat, not on a public forum mixed in with serious questions :-)

Graham

[Pineapple House]

Look,

If you really want to talk about mutated animals, take it over to the 'Anything Goes' forum. I'll see how it does there, instead of on these forums.

Watchman, you could start a topic over there if you wish.

Graham

[RazerCorals]

From Xenia to Crab. Then Crab to 2 headed creatures. Lets move this to Anything Goes. Thanks Mod.

[Chryocon]

I have a turbo snail that has become completely covered in aiptiasia.....I am going to call him the aiptiasia turbo and sell him to petco for $23.99...lol, I was kidding about the petco part but the turbo does really exist...is it safe to treat it with an injection of something to kill them, and what should I use?

[BigFish]

man a turbo only costs like $2.50 so get him the heck out of that tank. And get a new one. Why risk letting the aptasia spread around the tank?

[Chryocon]

I think I killed it all....I used some baking powder and water and sprayed it on his shell.....it mor eor less dissolved....he seems to be moving but fell of the glass and I had to flip him back up....

[Pineapple House]

I would take a pair of tweezers and pick the little Aiptaisa off his shell. Be careful that you've got it all though. Using some Calcium Hydroxide or other way of removal may work, but I have no clue what the after affects would be with the snail.

Graham

[Chryocon]

whoops...should have tried with tweasers but it is to late....he seems to be okay and has moved his position during the night....

[herpaquarium]

have one of the anemone hermits, oldest thing in the tank, anemones do great, even though he hides most of the day. reccomended for anyone.

[nyfireman3097]

Its funny because i was thinkin about gettin a staghorn my LFS has them and i was doin research about them b4 i bought it
Nick