Emerald crabs and chalices?

[AcroporAddict]

I have a bit of a bubble algae issue in my chalice tank. Too much to remove by hand, unfortunately. I was going to add 2-3 emerald crabs if they are OK with chalices.

Anyone have bad experience with these guys and chalices? I have lots of LEs and their well being is most important, of course.

Thanks for any help.
Dave

 

[121ddler]

i wouldn't put them in my tank... they are a hit and miss on eating corals... not sure on chalices though.

 

[romsoccer12]

they wont eat the corals as long as you target feed them when they run out of bubble algae. youll be fine adding them. They are not hit and miss, they always hit as long as they have a good food source.

 

[AcroporAddict]

I feed frozen and dry each day, so I'm sure they'll have enough food. I have 16 fish in this tank as well.
Dave

 

[AcroporAddict]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15059216#post15059216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 121ddler
i wouldn't put them in my tank... they are a hit and miss on eating corals... not sure on chalices though.

I like your FT Avatar. I picked that one up a few months ago.
Dave

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15059292#post15059292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by romsoccer12
they wont eat the corals as long as you target feed them when they run out of bubble algae. youll be fine adding them. They are not hit and miss, they always hit as long as they have a good food source.

Yes, they are! ALL crabs are opportunistic eaters. PERIOD! Just because they may have not misbehaved in your tank, doesnt mean that is always the case.

I had 2 in my 50g once, plenty of food was fed daily, sometimes even twice. The bubble algae was barely even touched, and was in plague proportions. But it still ate a mushroom I had. Caught in the act! Shroom in pinchers, pincher to mouth right in front of me. I didnt sweat it, as I was getting irritated with both, but needless to say the crab was arse up in the air the next morning when I went to go and check.

Point being, nothing is a sure thing. Unless the animal is an obligate feeder, which these are not.

-Justin

 

[121ddler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15059292#post15059292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by romsoccer12
they wont eat the corals as long as you target feed them when they run out of bubble algae. youll be fine adding them. They are not hit and miss, they always hit as long as they have a good food source.

thanks for the advice... i never knew that they needed to be target fed... from my past experience they have nibbled on my lps so i wouldn't chance it... to me it was a hit and miss... especially if you have expensive corals!!! =)

 

[121ddler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15059402#post15059402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AcroporAddict
I like your FT Avatar. I picked that one up a few months ago.
Dave

thanks dave but thats not the ft... i have the bpc ft and it is different

 

[AcroporAddict]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15059510#post15059510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 121ddler
thanks dave but thats not the ft... i have the bpc ft and it is different

What's the name of your avatar chalice, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Znut Reefer]

Never added them to a tank. I just don't trust any crabs period. You always hear horror stories.

 

[roblack]

Crabs BAD! use them temporarily and evict when they have done their work.

 

[romsoccer12]

justin, nothing is perfect. not even emerald. there is a risk with adding anything to a tank. your risk of an emerald crab eating a coral or fish will go down a lot if you target feed. but im sure there is always a couple that have an appetite for corals. =)

 

[JR's Reef]

I had one yrs ago that was eating my SPS. Will have one again

 

[Perrylazer1]

I blamed my Emeralds (2) for my coral, gorgonias, and zoo's being attack. I even tried to harpoon the emerald and miss by a milemeter! Then one night I got up at 2:00am and surprized the tank w/a high beam light. To my surprize and amazement it was a crab I've never seen before!! I still don't know what it is but LFS say's sounds like a "Shameface Crab". I plunged my hand in and took the risk and grab it and everything around it and flung it out of tank. I have Pictures if anyone would like to see it email me perrylazer1@comcast.net. 125gal/reef/sps/lps/.