Emrald Mithrax Crab In My 12 Gallon

[hgbarwick]

Hi, I am intrested in getting a emral mithrax crab in my 12 gallon aquapod to eat the small bit of buble algea left in it. I have read that these guys may eat corals and small fish. Is this true? Should I get one or will he eat all my corals? Please help.

 

[ClarkiiClown]

I have never seen one eat any of my corals or fish

 

[Jordan55]

I used to have one in my 55 gallon. I never once saw him touch a fish or coral, or have any unkown deaths of the two.

Is the bubble algae on the rock that is near the top? You may just want to try and take it out and scrape off the algae in a bucket. If you do this, make sure it is outside of the tank. If you pop them inside, the bubble algae will grow more.

Most online retailers list emeralds as reef safe, but you get a few people who believe that they have killed something in their tank.

Good luck.

 

[hgbarwick]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7524965#post7524965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jordan55
I used to have one in my 55 gallon. I never once saw him touch a fish or coral, or have any unkown deaths of the two.

Is the bubble algae on the rock that is near the top? You may just want to try and take it out and scrape off the algae in a bucket. If you do this, make sure it is outside of the tank. If you pop them inside, the bubble algae will grow more.

Most online retailers list emeralds as reef safe, but you get a few people who believe that they have killed something in their tank.

Good luck.

I have taken out most of the buble algea by hand. I am scared to take out the small ones because they might pop. So I think I'll be ok getting an Emrald Crab.

 

[Kigs]

In a small tank, I think inverts tend to be more aggressive. I had one for about a year, started out small and did not attack anything though it acted hostile towards other tankmates. After it died, I added a new one (slightly bigger) and it went straight for my corals, nipping at them. Let's just say that my mantis shrimp had a nice snack that day.

Anyway, mithrax crabs are always a hit and miss like most ppl mentioned above.

 

[hgbarwick]

Hmmm....... Well I will have to think about. I just don't know whether it's worth it to take the risk.

 

[oldreefer76]

Mythrax are harmless have kept many in small tanks in the past without a single problem

 

[hgbarwick]

Yes I have just heard some bad stories.

 

[smy168]

I have 2 in my 24 and they've been fine

 

[herositaly]

the crab Mitrax eats non good algas for reef and especially the sphere green algas (valonia)
it doesn't make any evil to sps and lps

it is a lot of good person in nanoreef

 

[mbierzyc]

i've walked over to my tank to catch mine eat a brand new frag of some nice zoas, claw around the polyp.

may be getting rid of him.

 

[hgbarwick]

See I just don't know whether to get him because of that reason. Any body know anything else that will eat buble algea that dosen't eat corals?

 

[Coraline2020]

Don't know if this helps, but I have read that the males are more prone to become aggressive, eat corals, etc. I cannot speak from experience though I have researched because I was considering getting one for my 24G Aquapod. I still haven't made the decision. Keep us posted on you decision and how it works out.

Liz

 

[Kigs]

how about getting a tiny one and letting him grow out? getting the crab used to the abundance of food in a closed ecosystem might train it to only go for algae, tank food and etc, whereas a mature crab might already have it in its habit to attack corals

 

[hgbarwick]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7533344#post7533344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vsny2k5
how about getting a tiny one and letting him grow out? getting the crab used to the abundance of food in a closed ecosystem might train it to only go for algae, tank food and etc, whereas a mature crab might already have it in its habit to attack corals

Yeah that might work.

 

[rockindacheeks]

i had one in my ten gallon and he started to have an appetite for my zoo polyps... so i gave it to a coworker and the little guy eats nothing but algae. i think he ran out of food in my tank...

 

[hgbarwick]

I guess I can try one. The second he starts eating my corals he is out of my tank!!!!

 

[Lakeside518]

We have an emeral crab in a 12 gal pod. We picked him up at a LFS so we were able to find one small in size. 3/4" i believe. Have had no probs with him at all and does a great job on Macro and hair algae!.

He has not touched any Bubble algae. Luckily was on a small piece of LR. So i we removed the LR and pulled off the bubble algae while soaking in SW.

 

[prugs]

I had 2 in a 13gal nano with corals & tiny gobies and blennies. Never had a problem. I have seen some at LFS that were so large they scared me.

 

[Steven0000]

if there is an abundance of alge then he shouldnt eat any corals and thats pretty rare but it can still happen
when i got one he was huge and he didnt touch my corals