Crab has been Killing Red Goniopora Polyps. Should I worry?

[Patrick Cox]

I recently noticed I have been losing some polyps from my Red Goniopora that has been very healthy for a long time. And yesterday I believe I figured out what has been happening. I believe a crab has been killing them. I was able to remove the crab yesterday and will be on the lookout for any others. But assuming that was the only crab, do I need to worry about losing this one? Thanks.


This was after I removed the Goniopora from the tank so I could catch the crab. You can obviously see where polyps has died. During the day the polyps that remain are out and look healthy

Here is the critter I caught... It was literally on the Gonipora when I saw it.

 

[rt67ghy]

If you have normal PE during the day the coral can recover. I'd watch those bare patches for algal growth though.

 

[smatter]

That crab must die!