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Originally Posted by amcarrig Toss the hermit crab in the sump. As far as I know, it is not a reef safe hermit. | I disagree with amcarrig. If you read closely on the orange-knuckle hermit, it is one of the most sought after hermits and somewhat hard to come by in some areas. It is also noted to eat cyanobacteria. I've had one before and he would always graze the rock and not once noticed it tearing a coral in half. The one who is untrustworthy is the scarlett hermit. I have seen it time and time again causing chaos in a reef tank. I remember I saw one eating a brittle star ALIVE!
I highly doubt it's eating the polyps, unless you saw it first hand rip the polyp right before your eyes, then the hermit is a little destructive. I think each hermit is not the same and each display different behavior. Algae and such does grow within the mat of the polyps, so they may be eating some nice stuff there. It's normal for your hermits to run over to the newest rock you introduce because it has fresh algae to eat and they will eventually harmlessly crawl over a coral once in a while. Hermits have no respect for corals, but will not harm them. Unless they get real big.
I do know that they can get destructive if too big. Their appetite seems to grow and get a little evil.
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30g reef tank, CPR CY192 filter w/ DIY plumb running Rio 17HF return, Coralife 3x 9w UV Sterilizer, 3 24W T5-Helios 10K Daylights/3 24W T5-Helios Blue lights, 2 Logysis blue meteor light strobes (moonlights/24 Blue LEDs).
Tiger tail cuke, asst. snails/hermits, asst. feathers, rainbow acan,zoos,shrooms,bubble,galaxea, asst. shrimp, 2 ocellaris,mandarin,zebrasoma xanthurum,pink-spot watchman,red-striped pistol. | 
