Emerald Crabs and Zoos

[TomDe]

I read Mucho talk about larger Emerald Crabs eating zoos. I have 2 in my tank that were pciked up to help out a bubble algae problem.

I am nervous about them now but have not seen them near any of my zoos.

Should I remove them?

Thanks

 

[Kigs]

i had an EC that left zoas alone for its year long lifespan. after he died, i got two new ones, which started to pick on zoas. their lifepsan was extremely shortened by my peacock mantis that night.

 

[nmprisons]

i had one. he ate everything. will never get another.

 

[TomDe]

Really....I have never seen them do this yet. Can they live in my HOB fuge??

I still have a little bit of bubble algae should I let them be innocent until proven guilty?

 

[TWallace]

I've got a large one that I've seen ripping up pipe organ polyps, but never zoanthids. For the record, the pipe organ grew back quickly without my intervention and the crab remains in the tank.

 

[jasert39]

mine has never touched any zoos.

 

[kryppy]

Mine eats nothing but algae.

 

[TomDe]

Krypv that is what mine do as well. I even watch them very close to zoos but still picking algae.

If anything I look at it as a learning experience. A lot of opinions but obviously tank size, amount of alage, specimen size....all play a role in the outcome.

 

[whodah]

do any of you know which region your emerald crabs were collected from?

wonder if there's a correlation...

 

[Chelsey]

No clue, but mine chopped off zoas like a lawnmower does grass!

 

[Nikon_Guy]

I personally think emerald crabs get a bad rap with the “eating zoa’s” thing. Emeralds are scavengers and if there are tasty morsels nestled between the polyps of a zoa colony, they are going to go in and dig them out. I think people mistake this behavior as the emerald crabs eating the zoas, when indeed there are cleaning out built up detritus.

Much like bristle worms being accused of killing a fish when in fact they are only consuming one that is already dead.

Could be wrong on this, but although the three in my tank have been seen on zoo colonys, never has one consumed a polyp. It has ripped a few out however.

 

[kryppy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8450686#post8450686 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by whodah
do any of you know which region your emerald crabs were collected from?

wonder if there's a correlation...

Mine all come from the Keys. I've often wondered if that is why they go after valonia so vigorously when others have said theirs don't touch it.

 

[TomDe]

Mine are full grown and I have not seen them near a thing. I wonder about the region aspect?