Acro crabs
- Thread starter JT3069
- Start date
TruespeedEM1
New member
I'm no expert, but I got one as a hitchhiker on my Live Rock and I guess whenever I added my Tabling Acro he found his way too it.
Its the best looking acro I have in the tank, and I'd assume its because of him
Its the best looking acro I have in the tank, and I'd assume its because of him
roberto_lopes
Member
They are guard angels.
Clean the acros
Eat plagues
I have 4 of them for over one year. Is far the best acros I have.
I here in Brazil a sotre sells that. I would buy one for each acro for sure.
Clean the acros
Eat plagues
I have 4 of them for over one year. Is far the best acros I have.
I here in Brazil a sotre sells that. I would buy one for each acro for sure.
TruespeedEM1
New member
i wouldnt consider mine a large colony, its only about 2.5-3"
roberto_lopes
Member
Must have at least some branches so he can hide and protect himself.
If not, they are easily eaten. They will try to find a colony with branches ...
If not, they are easily eaten. They will try to find a colony with branches ...
NatureNerd
New member
Does anyone know where I could get another "Bandit" acro crabs? (White body with black band across the eye area) I have always wanted another of these guys. I have one in one of my colonies and it is healthy and thriving. I am not sure the crab helps it, but he certainly doesn't hurt it.
I would love to buy a couple more.
I would love to buy a couple more.
treesmoker
Zoa/Paly Collector
you have to be real carefull with acro crabs. "Teaddy Bear" crabs are often found in acro colonies disguising themselves as acro crabs and they are very destructive. You also have to take into consideration whether your colony was aquacultured or wild. Wild colonies are accustomed to the crabs while aqua-cultured colonies arent and might be "irritated" by the crab and begin to loose tissue where the crab resides, Ive experianced this first hand. Its kind of a trial and error thing. Live Aquaria usually has them for sale.
dzhuo
Active member
Acro crabs are a awesome little guy. I have on that came in a birdsnest colony and has now moved into a pocillipora colony. I read somewhere explaining them. What they do is they use there claws to blow out sediment that falls into the coral. This is very good for the corals. keeps them very healthy.
NatureNerd
New member
These are not the same species as what is commonly called a Bandit Acro Crab. I will look up the latin for these guys. Thank you for trying, though.
NatureNerd
New member
These are the ones I have experience with. They are awesome. I will order a couple more. In my reef, only one per colony was the rule. They did seem to help the coral. Thanks.
dzhuo
Active member
The ones you are thinking about are Tetralia. The ones I linked are Trapezia. They are both commonly referred to as acro crabs.
NatureNerd
New member
Thanks dzhuo!
Tetralia are the black-masked acropora crabs found throughout the south Pacific. Trapezia, although larger and more colorful than Tetralia associate with Stylo's, Poci's, and birds nest sps corals. They do require a densely branched cluster corals, but I have seen them in fairly small frags. Published studies reveal that they protect their coral host from predators and when removed, coral mortality increases. Red bugs do not do well in Acropora that have resident Tetralia. Well worth purchasing for your SPS tank....Jim Z.
