Acropora crabs

[twiggyb]

I've only recently heard about these little guys and have one on the way. Does anyone know much about them?

 

[Mustang Boy]

i dont know alot about them other than they form a symbiotic relationship with SPS more exactly acropora hence their name.

 

[twiggyb]

Do you know how big they get? I assume not too large. The one being sent is only 3/4!!!!

 

[mayjong]

seen them "in the wild" many times...nothing bigger than 2" that iv'e seen...

 

[twiggyb]

That's better than 3/4, it might become a snack if he doesn't get bigger

 

[clippo]

I think these are Trapezius sp.

I have a pair that came within a Pocillopora colony (but they now live in a neighbouring Seriatopora colony too).

They are quite active but occasionally disappear at moulting times (I assume deep within the coral). They will be vulnerable if you have predatory organisms and no deep places for them to hide at this time.

They wave their claws at 'intruders' but nothing serious happens. I don't feed mine directly.... they seem fine and I've had them for months now. They don't adversely affect the coral.

I've seen mine with eggs a couple of times but no babies of course.

I don't think it's really a symbiotic relationship.... more commensal (survival of each organism doesn't depend on it)

 

[twiggyb]

Yeah it's commensal, but neat I think. I'll have to read up on the sp. you mentioned