Emerald crabs for sale $3 each

[Rogger Castells]

I had a big bubble algae issue I imported into my tank from some corals that I bought, the algae spread like wild fire and it was nasty.
I tried everything and nothing helped until I got these emerald crabs which corrected the issue and now I am afraid that there is too many of them (approx 50) and very little food. I need to move them out, I am not sure how I am going to catch them yet but I would like to have buyers before I do.

 

[jessebro45]

ill take 3 if you can catch them LOL......

 

[Rogger Castells]

you got it Jess

 

[blackthunda77]

Very little food? Wow, how much of a dent did they make in that algea? When i was there to pick up the food you had a real problem with the algae. I remember you were saying you were waiting for a good buy on the crabs and for the price to come down. Thats pretty crazy if they munched most of it down already.

 

[Rogger Castells]

Try ALL of the algae is gone, there is not one single bubble or any other type of algae left in the tank and the best part is that I didn't even need to get my hands in.
My rock is 100% purple now, LOL, I am loving them crabs!

 

[Lacy]

Rogger are you going to keep a few in there for a little while just in case there might be a few algae spores left? Glad you got rid of it. Bubble algae is horribe.

 

[Rogger Castells]

yeah, I am sure there is no way to catch them all, but, I just don't want them to start dying because there is nothing to eat.

 

[TripleT]

Some baited jars or similar containers, leaning against rocks or buried partially in your substrate?

I bet you will catch a load of them like that.

 

[Rogger Castells]

I wil try that, thank you

 

[Lacy]

What you need is a mini crab trap like the ones they sell at the bait shops. Use egg crete for the top, bottom, and 2 sides. Zip tie together except for the top. It would need a closure that you could easily open up to get the crabs out after they are caught. Now for the other 2 sides that are open you will need some screen, mesh or gutter guard. Cut a piece that you roll into a cone shape like a snow cone holder. You want the pointed end to have a small opening. You can cut the pointed end off or roll it so that there is a small opening. This cone shaped piece will be attached to the egg crete with the small opening going inward. Do the same on the other side. When you are done place trap a little into the sand and bait with a piece of shrimp in the middle. Viola! You have a mini emerald crab trap! Now if it actually works, your guess is as good as mine. Never tried it before. Sounds good though.

 

[nivram]

I could use 5 of em. In the past i've had good luck just plucking them out with tongs or grabbers.

 

[ninjamini]

Put me down for 3. Just an excuse to check out your new tank.

 

[laud]

Rogger,

I got rid of mine in the same way. The trouble is that one popped bubble and spores go everywhere. You may not want to get rid of them all, since they will eat new growth before you notice the "outbreak".

 

[bobby65]

Rogger
i'll take 4 of them

 

[ninjamini]

Roger, are you pulling these guys out?

 

[Rogger Castells]

LOL, My apologies for no updates but the crabs have outsmart me so far, I will let you know as soon as i find a way to get them

 

[Sotoquatic]

The easiest way is to corner them in any corner of your tank, i have a 120g and i had to take out over 5 (i got a lot of rock where they can hide) i would put food around the corner or close enough to scare them into that corner, and then throw the net in when they are in the corner. It was not easy, but this was the quickest method for me. good luck

 

[Rogger Castells]

Yeah, I am facing some issues right now, I am keeping some corals for 2 friends and I have no free sand space so it is almost impossible to corner them.

 

[dguest98]

Rogger do they really help, my 180 has algae that I cannot beat, I am now brushing the rocks nightly, I have over 100 blue legs and a few emeralds. If you think 10 or so would help I would love to get them. If you cant get them out let me know and I have another source.

 

[Rogger Castells]

Dguest, My rocks look like a have never seen them before, They are truly beautiful, the intense purple Coraline is so intense that it has brought the joy of watching the tank back to me, However, I wish I could offer a more definitive conclusion as to how this happened, but unfortunately, I cannot.
It will be unfair to give the entire credit to the crabs, truth is that I have added more algae grazers in addition to the crabs, I've added a Cowrie and a Sea hare which are both mainly nocturnal and hard to say wether they had anything to do with the fabulous cleaning.
I've also been very attentive to the routine cleaning and water changes and added 1000 ml. of Bio Pellets that are tumbling in a large fluidized reactor.
It is unusual for me to target an issue from so many angles, precisely because you never know what actually worked, but my tank and I were in a state of desperation already.
This is an example of how the entire tank was invaded by bubble algae.
I will take some new pictures when I come back from vacation.