Emerald Crabs eating GSP's ??

[KB3MMX]

Hi guys and gals, I purchased some emerald crabs recently to take care of my bubble algae. Last night I noticed that one of them was on one of my GSP colonies appearing to be picking at them.
After seeing a mysterious bald spot in a GSP colony the other day, I am wonderng if it was caused by a crab being naughty??
Also I read that Males can potentially become a problem in some tanks.
Can anyone expand on this subject ?


Thanks !!

 

[Tennyson]

I am pretty sure that emerald crabs will not harm any corals, or anything else. They are perfectly reef safe. The only trouble they might cause would be possibly catching and eating a small fish, and thats still unlikely.

Your emerald crab could have been searching for algea on the coral, or there was some growing in between the coral and it was picking for it. Emerald's are generally well mannered and will pick for algea around corals.

Are you sure it wasn't something else that caused this to the coral? I have never heard of an emerald crab goin bad, but its highly unlikely since they have no need to eat corals. Maybe someone else could add to this with their experience on emeralds safety with corals. But otherwise, I would research another cause for your corals bald spot.

Good luck

 

[cloak]

With those claws, they can do alot of damage if they wanted to. I don't trust them. Seems like emerald crabs and valonia go hand in hand. Think manual removal right before a water change would be a safer bet.

 

[Tennyson]

I think your right that they could do alot of damage with such strong claws, but what would an algea eating crab want with a coral? Theres no use for them in eating them, and it shouldn't go for a coral if theres algea in the tank. You can take it out if you want, but I would wait to see if it does it again. I can't imagine an emerald crab goin bad.

 

[Jay1982]

I read, and heard of stories where mature emerald crabs would pick at corals, crabs in general are something I don't trust, not since my fresh water incident of a fiddler crab taking down some american cichlids!!!!!

 

[KB3MMX]

Thanks for the replies, I have been watching him closely and so far so good.....
I'll keep you posted I I catch the little guy actually eating any corals......and out he will go !!