HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I've had HermitCrabs for around 4-5 years now and never got into isopods. What are they and how do they benefit hermitcrabs? I have a 200G (yes, two-hundred) tank. What are the pros and cons of isopods to hermit crabs. I also have my tank outside, would that affect isopods?

I added isopods about a year ago and I haven't regretted it. (I was really nervous adding that very first batch.) They are great janitors and keep down mold and clean up spilled food. I've observed my crabs hunting and eating them, so I figure it's good for them both in terms of nutrition and stimulation. And they give me something to watch when I have pet sand.

Ditto on what mlakers said! We got our isopods several months ago and they really have helped to maintain the tank!! They eat leftover foods, food mites, and crab poop (which are major things on my list! Lol). They are also live prey for the hermies if they are feeling a little adventurous that day. And plus they are fun to watch in the tank! Are there cons to having isopods?? If there are, I would definitely like to know! The isopods can live in a bit more extreme temps than the hermies so If ur hermies are not affected by their tank being outside then I should think the isopods should be fine:)


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I've had a large crew of isopods living with my hermies for.. 2 years, I think? 2 1/2? Anyway, can't remember, but I would never go back to not having them. Like other posters have said, they keep my 65G clean, are super neat to watch, and breed like love-starved rabbits. I've experienced no negatives with them. I can't imagine housing them outside would be a problem - I gathered the forefathers of my current crew from my garden (kept them in a critter keeper with leaf litter and food for a few weeks to breed and adapt to captivity). They're insects. They live outdoors. So long as they have good dark places to hide out in your crabitat, they'll be happy.