Crab ?
- Thread starter mickela
- Start date
livingstone
New member
I've not had one myself but emerald crabs have a very good reputation in the reef tank. They may eat coralline algae as well as the algaes you want to get rid of. But then maybe you don't consider this to be CUC.
livingstone
New member
Sally light foots are non-aggressive CUC.
mickela
New member
Thanks Dan it's nice to see someone else from my neck of the woods for a change.
I'm just getting tired of buying snails then within a month the crabs have done them in :mad2: Wasnt sure what everyone else used or if maybe a red legged crab might be better than the blues at leaving my snails alone.
Most cleaner packages you see offer more crabs than snails so I figured there must be a reason for this
I'm just getting tired of buying snails then within a month the crabs have done them in :mad2: Wasnt sure what everyone else used or if maybe a red legged crab might be better than the blues at leaving my snails alone.
Most cleaner packages you see offer more crabs than snails so I figured there must be a reason for this
daveverdo
New member
I guess it depends on what you want cleaned. I have a red mithrax crab and have had emerald mithrax crabs. They tend to eat my bubble algae as well as extra food that sits on the bottom. I have a Sally lightfoot that is getting pretty big but she eats leftover food as well as some algae.
You should be able to get by without any hermits. Good mix of snails can do a good job of keeping things in check. Just get a variety, Cerith, Trochus, Nerite, Nassarius, Fighting Conch or Queen Conch.
I love the Sally Lightfoot but do not know how it will be as it continues to grow, I understand they can get pretty big.
Dave
You should be able to get by without any hermits. Good mix of snails can do a good job of keeping things in check. Just get a variety, Cerith, Trochus, Nerite, Nassarius, Fighting Conch or Queen Conch.
I love the Sally Lightfoot but do not know how it will be as it continues to grow, I understand they can get pretty big.
Dave
mickela
New member
I went to the pet shop in Norwich (which doesnt have much saltwater wise) and got a bunch of snail shell because his crabs had eaten all the snails also, but they still chowed done on them.Think I'm gonna find a place online and order a bunch of different types of snails.Although crabs are way cool to watch
I've ordered and/or picked up locally loads of different types of hermit crabs probably just under a dozen flavors (blue leg, red leg, scarlet, yellow leg, electric blue, ect...) and they have all made my snail numbers dwindle. I finally just accepted the fact that it all part of the circle of life 
The way I see it you have a few options... 1- Keep buying snails to replenish the ones the crabs kill 2- lessen your crab numbers so the snails have better odds 3- forget the snails and load up on crabs or?? I'm sure you have other options. I go without snails all the time and I see no difference in tank cleanliness. I think the crabs do an awesome job at cleaning, and see no real need for both other than just liking both of them. But that's just my opinion. I love watching the crabs, they are way more entertaining than the snails! I have noticed a few things that help (most of which have been mentioned already); 1-make sure the crabs are getting enough to eat, drop in a sinking pellet once in awhile for em to munch on. 2-Have plenty of empty shells of various sizes. 3- The yellow legs fight eachother less so maybe they will eat less snail?? 4- Keep some of you glass dirty that way the snails will be on the glass and away from the crabs stompin ground (kinda defeats the cleaning aspect of the crabs, but it allows for entertainment).5- Get snails that are way bigger than the crabs. I find the crabs don't muck with snails that are 5x their size! Like I said I haven't seen a difference in the clean-up department when crab population is low so I tend to load up on crabs and just keep my fighting conchs for my snails. I'm sure other people will disagree, but this just what I find to be true.
Have you looked into brittle stars and serpent stars for part of your cuc?
I had an emerald crab a bit ago who never bothered my snails or crabs, but he did chase my fish. He also liked stomping around in the zoas like a bull in a china shop!!
The way I see it you have a few options... 1- Keep buying snails to replenish the ones the crabs kill 2- lessen your crab numbers so the snails have better odds 3- forget the snails and load up on crabs or?? I'm sure you have other options. I go without snails all the time and I see no difference in tank cleanliness. I think the crabs do an awesome job at cleaning, and see no real need for both other than just liking both of them. But that's just my opinion. I love watching the crabs, they are way more entertaining than the snails! I have noticed a few things that help (most of which have been mentioned already); 1-make sure the crabs are getting enough to eat, drop in a sinking pellet once in awhile for em to munch on. 2-Have plenty of empty shells of various sizes. 3- The yellow legs fight eachother less so maybe they will eat less snail?? 4- Keep some of you glass dirty that way the snails will be on the glass and away from the crabs stompin ground (kinda defeats the cleaning aspect of the crabs, but it allows for entertainment).5- Get snails that are way bigger than the crabs. I find the crabs don't muck with snails that are 5x their size! Like I said I haven't seen a difference in the clean-up department when crab population is low so I tend to load up on crabs and just keep my fighting conchs for my snails. I'm sure other people will disagree, but this just what I find to be true. Have you looked into brittle stars and serpent stars for part of your cuc?
I had an emerald crab a bit ago who never bothered my snails or crabs, but he did chase my fish. He also liked stomping around in the zoas like a bull in a china shop!!
