Melanerus/Wardley Wrasse ?

My guy is about 3 inches long and for the most part not aggressive at all but i am wondering if he could be attacking my hermit crabs. i can't find anywhere that says they will eat them i don't know what to do b/c i need the snails and crabs to keep things clean. i thought i saw him grab one but i am not sure cuz i was across the room and caught it out of the corner of my eye. I looked on this forum and on the internet i really did not find much so i figured i will ask people who have them and if he is the thats getting them should i get larger crabs and do they attack emerald crabs ? Its a reef tank 40g I have a sixline also, a clown fish, i have a small stripe puffer and have not seen him have any interest in them at all. my husband blames the puffer but i keep him well fed and he he probably alittle smaller that the wardley. My husband wanted the wardley so he does not think he does anything wrong
thanks for all your guys help

 

They can and will, given the opportunity. However, most the crabs learn in time, and will quickly pull into their shell when he gets near.

You can lesson these events by feeding frequently. I feed my tank full of wrasses small amounts ~3 times daily. My Melanurus doesn't bother to pick on my snails/crabs very often, but it does happen on occasion. It's the cost of ownership; you've just got to replace them when your numbers run low.

 

ok thanks for the input

 

You now have two possible culprits in the tank the puffer and the wrasse. The hermits will adjust and and the wrasse will only harrass them the puffer can break them out of the shells though.

 

I have had multiple melanurus wrasses... I have only had one that picked at snails and that was because he was watching my red coris do it and started copying the coris. After a few days he stopped banging the snails and never bothered them anymore.

I never worry about the halichoeres genus... Now the puffer on the other hand would make me worry a little more.

 

My melanarus will consistently go after snails if they're on their back. Otherwise, he doesn't bother them. I think he might go after hermits too, if they're in the same situation.