Hi all, I started my 120 reef about 6 months ago. CUC consists of about 30 assorted snails and a couple of sand sifting starfish. Are there any crabs that get along (wont eat) the snails. The snails do a good job with algae but don't seem to touch the detritus on the sand. Thanks
Any good crabs?
- Thread starter HowieB
- Start date
BEASTIEPENDENT
Member
It depends on the size of crabs and snails. Most crabs won't touch healthy snails, but will surely feed on dying or dead ones. For bigger and predatory crabs You can say what fits into the claws is potential food. But crabs with spoony finger tips (like the mentioned emerald cab, Mithraculus sculptus, or many Xanthid species) are primarily algae eaters and will not hunt on snails, when they are healthy.
Species of Calappa (shame crabs) are specialized on snails, You would not add these.
Species of Calappa (shame crabs) are specialized on snails, You would not add these.
I've never seen a crab clean enough crud from the sand to actually leave it looking clean... But I'm a big fan of emeralds just because they look like what people expect to see when you point out the crabs in the tank. And pom poms are very neat looking as well.
The only thing I've ever seen leave a sandbed really nice and clean (besides careful syphoning during a water change) was something that most people would call a pest - a big fat bristle worm. They seem to eat everything and are very thorough when cleaning their little area of the sand. Cucumbers are another sand-cleaning option if you can stand looking at them. I prefer cleaners that aren't seen when the lights are on, though.
The only thing I've ever seen leave a sandbed really nice and clean (besides careful syphoning during a water change) was something that most people would call a pest - a big fat bristle worm. They seem to eat everything and are very thorough when cleaning their little area of the sand. Cucumbers are another sand-cleaning option if you can stand looking at them. I prefer cleaners that aren't seen when the lights are on, though.
jayelblock
New member
It's not a crab, but if you really want your sand to stay clean, get a pistol shrimp. They are great scavengers and really keep the sand loose and clean. Some people don't like them b/c they kick a bit of sand around, but if you keep corals off your sand bed, you won't have any trouble.
