Emerald Crab Vs. Turbo Snail, WTH?
- Thread starter Wayne@RC
- Start date
OwenInAZ
New member
Dunno about the crab/snail, the crab may just be trying to eat any algae growing on the snail and getting shell in the process. It looks like your tank is really young still, so I wonder why you have two efficient algae eaters in a 14 already -- maybe the crab is really really hungry and getting food anywhere it can?
The spots growing on the tank look like they could be coralline algae. They could also be the tiny tube worms I get on my glass. It's kind of hard to tell. Either way, not bad for the tank.
The spots growing on the tank look like they could be coralline algae. They could also be the tiny tube worms I get on my glass. It's kind of hard to tell. Either way, not bad for the tank.
noahm
Active member
Could have been an accident as well. Scenario 1: Hungry crab climbs on back of turbo. Turbo decides to attempt a forced ejection of his rider. Slam!! into rock or glass. Cracked/broken shell falls off or is removed by crab. I have a hard time believing that an emerald has the ability to break the shell of a mexican turbo. My guess is the shell was fractured before the incident (a fall probably) and just happened to come loose in the scuffle. I would imagine that the snail will be ok as long as there is no damage to his body. It doesn't look like the crab was actually attempting to pull the snails flesh off.
Korrine
You could get a ticket!!
x2 Not saying he could rip the shell off, but if it was damaged he could have a go at it! I will never have any type of crab in my tank again. NONE! not even hermits :thumbdown
a forced ejection? How? It's a turbo snail. They're not the most agile, speedy, or otherwise creatures I've ever seen...........
jeff@zina.com
New member
"And Mighty Turbo body slams The Emerald Emperor to the canvas... But the Emperor has Turbo on the ropes! Folks, if he can't tag his partner Stone Cold Steve Austin, it looks like this match is over! Wait! John Cena does a triple flip into the ring and smacks the Mighty Turbo with a chair! The Turbo's shell is cracking -- Looks like this match just took a turn! ... "
:spin1:
Jeff
OwenInAZ
New member
I think this is all open to different anecdotes. To whit: my emeralds haven't picked on snails, or corals. My blue knuckle hermits (not blue leg hermits) are model citizens, and have only eaten two snails, both of which were flipped over long before the crabs got to them.
Korrine
You could get a ticket!!
I am just erring on the side of caution with the wetwebmedia crew. They feel the same way about crabs in our reef tanks.
Best (most "Reef-Safe") Hermit Crab Species (though no carte-blanche guarantees) for Algae Control: Even these cannot be absolutely trusted with small fishes, invertebrates if hungry...
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
Here is a FAQ section talking about emerald crabs...also calling them opportunistic feeders and stating an emerald could be the culprit in a cleaner shrimp death
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mithraxfaqs.htm
Best (most "Reef-Safe") Hermit Crab Species (though no carte-blanche guarantees) for Algae Control: Even these cannot be absolutely trusted with small fishes, invertebrates if hungry...
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
Here is a FAQ section talking about emerald crabs...also calling them opportunistic feeders and stating an emerald could be the culprit in a cleaner shrimp death
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mithraxfaqs.htm
Lynnmw1208
New member
I don't trust crabs. only porcelain like someone else said. They are cute when they're small but the bigger they get the hungrier they get and before you know it your fish are missing. I'd get rid of him if he's already wreaking havoc.
