Do acro crab protects the host coral against redbug or AEFW?

[dzhuo]

I have heard rumors that acro crab protects the host coral against redbug and AEFW. Does this hold any truth? Is there any scientific prove to this theory?

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

i've never heard that

 

[BEASTIEPENDENT]

Is there any scientific prove to this theory?

Sure.

I remember having read from defending against these redbugs, but this was no scientific source. But at least for defending against _some_ predators their are renowned resources:

"Significant work has been undertaken on the ecology, behavior, and nutrition of Trapezia. Crabs depend on their host for food and shelter, and they have also been reported as defending corals from predation." it says in CASTRO, P ., 1997. - Trapeziid crabs (Brachyura : Xanthoidea : Trapeziidae) of New Caledonia, eastem Australia, and the Coral Sea. In : RICHER DE FORGES, B. (ed.), Les fonds meubles des lagons de Nouvelle-CalMonie (Sédimentologie, Benthos).Études& TEses,volume3,Paris:ORSTOM:59-107.ISBN2-7099-1376-3

In Pratchett, M. S., 2001, Influence of coral symbionts on feeding preferences of crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci in the western Pacific, Mar Ecol Prog Ser 214: 111–119, it is stated that Trapeziid crabs defend their host corals actively against starfish.

These papers You can find for free. If one searches for Trapeziid crabs and symbionts or predation one surely will find more papers.

 

[mscarpena]

I do not know for sure, but I ma going to say no. I think what BEASTIEPENDENT is referring to is fish eating the coral or other inverts. Again I am not sure this is just my guess.

 

[doodie]

There could be some truth to this as I have noted that SPS colonies without a host acro crab are more susceptible to problems with stn.

More research is needed here...

 

[Drewbaby]

I have seen tanks infested with red bug that have one single colony with an acro crab and there are significantly less redbuds on that colony. The acro crab eats any invading nuisance to the hosting acro including red bugs from why I've seen. There was a thread on here where someone was trying to do research With acrocrabs in his own tank. I can't remember the thread title but it seemed that they were keeping the acro alot cleaner that without one. He said thy polyp extension was doubled from before.

It wouldn't hurt to try it out. At the very least they will eat trapped debri and host in the acro to make a cool pair.

 

[ashish]

Has there been any major break throughs 7 years later?

 

[Moeshi]

Has there been any major break throughs 7 years later?

Trapezia sp. is now considered key in preventing STN in wild acros.