Emerald Crab Bit Off the Anemone Tentacle Tip and Ate It

[SeaTila]

Bought an 8 year old neglected tank from CL. It had a very big problem with green valonia bubble algae. It was so much bubble algae I bought 5 $5 emerald crabs thinking they would slowly eat it and minimize spreading. I couldn't believe how some would grab/rip off huge chucks and stuff into its face...one claw ...then the other. It only took a month for 5 crabs to eat every last bit and now scrape off any algae growth showing. I have a large amount of live rovk but I've been wondering if they are now going to get hungry and turn to the dark side or if the bits growing everyday will suffice.

Today, right in plain view, a watched an emerald crab grab and eat the tip of an anemon tentacle.

Is there a way to feed these crabs so they dont get hungry enough to beat up the anemones? I will soon have 2 tanks so I can always split them up for 2 or 3 per tank...if needed. I need to know it I should get rid of 1 or more of them or figure a way to feed them so they are more docile. I'm concerned their algae supply is not enough but I do overfeed and wet skim to accomodate for extra food they should be docile.




Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using Tapatalk

 

[Jeff4777]

IMO emeralds are great for bubble algae but are jerks. I had one that clipped a zoa polyp off right in front of me for the sport of it, so it seemed. It would wave his claws as fish passed by. Then I saw him try to decapitate a nassarius snail who barely escaped into the sand. I no longer have crabs besides a pom pom and some hermits

 

[SeaTila]

IMO emeralds are great for bubble algae but are jerks. I had one that clipped a zoa polyp off right in front of me for the sport of it, so it seemed. It would wave his claws as fish passed by. Then I saw him try to decapitate a nassarius snail who barely escaped into the sand. I no longer have crabs besides a pom pom and some hermits

I have had a few issues waiting for me when I wake up in the am. My large feather duster worm's mop head was being fought over and still no sign of the worm. I check for ammonia but hes alive hiding or more likely crab and shrimp dinner. I have seen the claws raised for fish or walking the tank with claws up but thought its a dumb crab. I see the rock scraped down with white scrap marks but macro algae seems to be tefflon where its growing. I've got zoas growing seemingly unharmed and the crabs are scraping a lot of suspect crud. They were not this aggressive with a tank of bubble algae keeping them busy.

I was thinking about lights on longer to grow more algae but its likely risky. Right now Ive been at 8 only to keep algae to min and I think anemones would like more because when I extend the hours they are fuller in the am ... not sure this is a good route. I have a lot of rock in 120g and ive got min. pests. Tank was really bad 2 months ago when I got it so they appear to be a positive but are definitely risky to keep.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using Tapatalk

 

[Sk8r]

He probably didn't like it much. 'Sinking pellet' is good for inverts..

 

[SeaTila]

He probably didn't like it much. 'Sinking pellet' is good for inverts..

I keep wondering when my anemones are going to sting something...the shrimp and crabs seem immune , steal their food without consequences. I thought anemones could protect themselves. When I saw the crab pull off the end of the tentacle...it probably felt squishy like bubble algae. I thought I would see a reaction like when you dont realize theres jalapeños in the dip, but it just shoved it in his mouth and moved to another spot. ...no taste buds on a crab.

One thing I tried today was pulling the uneaten red nori from the chip and let it go to the sand. All the crabs were pulling a piece off, ate what I normally pitch, and took an afternoon nap. We'll see how it goes.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using Tapatalk

 

[MichelleMas]

I noticed one LFS would tie Nori to a rock with a rubber band for their emerald crabs to eat.