Is Halloween Hermit eating my newly acquired Green Acro?

My brother in Law gave me a Halloween Hermit that looks awesome. Here's a pic of one for ID'ing purposes:



I added my newly acquired Acro's 2 days ago, and today I found him really digging my Green Acropora. He didn't look like it was just checking out, he was actively stretching his little claws on him and taking something out to his mouth. The coral doesn't look damaged, but again, I just had it for 2 or 3 days, so I'm not sure the way it's supposed to look or if the hermit is eating him. He also knocked a frag off the rock while getting to the green acro. Should I put him in the sump or is he coral safe and was eating something else on the coral and not the coral itself?

Thanks!!!

- Mag.

 

im 99% sure they are completely reef safe, probally picking something off of the coral

 

those dam in-laws! gave you a acro eating halloween hermit crab for easter! lol just watch him, my largest emerald has been banished to the sump for eating my green slimer acro tips off..

 

i had a pep shrimp try to eat my tricolor frogspawn ;-/ he died for it too! Karma

 

Wicked looking hermit. Probably just cleaning off the acro. Unless you see polyps missing or the crab is constantly harassing the coral I wouldn't worry.

 

I was really freaking out and pulled him off on the spot. He was holding on pretty tight and came out of the tank with coral frag and all. Just dropped him in the corner and re-placed frag on its place. I'll keep an eye on him.

Thanks for the input guys!

- Mag.

 

my emerald did the same thing.. I moved him like 3 times, hit him with a turkey baster and next morning damage was done.. I'd watch him for a couple more hours and make your decision then.. if you have a frag rack high up in tank, maybe move sps to that.

 

I saw some really nice acrylic frag racks that are magnet mounted. I'll need to get one of those eventually until they get big enough!

 

listen to nightrida, i would move that bugger somewhere he wont eat corals (if he is)

 

I've been watching him closely. He got back there and started picking at the same coral or whatever he was eating. It may have been something stuck to the coral because I did not see any damage at all. I'll keep watching him closely. Now that I've seen him there 2 times, I don't trust him.... he'll have to earn my trust again, or else.... vanished to the sump. I'll still be able to see him anyway