How to catch a nuisance crab!

[rpisces]

I have been facing this crab problem for many years and it grows bigger and bigger until it is now 2.5 inches big.

I tried many traps but failed until I came out with a design while I was asleep in the early hours 2 weeks ago.

Before that, I tried using cup, glass and trap but no results because either they are too tall, too shallow or too scary for the crab.

So, that night I woke up and did the trap there and then. I used a 4.5in diameter cup with lid and is 3 inches tall. On the lid, I cut 2 lines across like a pie and bent the pie a bit so that the crab could slides in but cannot climb out. I put some gravels to sink it and used a piece of dried shrimp as bait.

The next morning, no result, I feel that the opening might be too small so I bent the 4 edges into a square opening but sloping. The crab went in after a week! I found that the crab was stealing the bait earlier and have to place the bait on the edge so the crab have to go in to take it!

Rgds
khoo

 

[BONDQ]

Hi there,

I had a similar situation with a hitchhiker crab awhile back and I was trying to think of the best way to remove it before it ate snails or my starfish.

The best way to get rid of your crab is actually pretty easy.
I did this process exactly and I was successful on my FIRST ATTEMPT, so you should have good luck, too:

1. Don't feed for a couple of days. A hungry crab is easier to catch.

2. Buy Formula One in small pellet formula. This is because it sinks and sits on the sand bed.

3. On Day, insert one of those blue mechanical tongs into the tank in the area where you wish to trap your crab. You can find these at marinedepot.com and several LFS. Everyone should own one, as they really do help out.

Place the end of the tongs directly on the sand bed. Leave it here still for about 15 minutes so that the crab gets used to it.

4. Drop in just a couple of food pellets at the base of the tongs. Hopefully your crab will come out to eat. You can drop the pellets with more accuracy if you pre-soak them in water and turn off any powerheads, wavemakers, etc. The less flow the better.

As he's eating, slowly add a couple of more pellets to keep him distracted. Then, lift the tongs very slowly and slowly, slowly begin to close the clamp over one of it's back legs. VERY SLOWLY now, like slow motion. Add more food if you need more time and don't make any sudden movements.

Once you get the clamps almost completely closed, quickly clamp down before the tongs touch the crab, otherwise it will run off.

Pull out your crab and do what you will with it.

If you happened to spook your crab and it ran off, just try it again in 2 or 3 days of non-feeding.

Most importantly, just keep the crab distracted and don't make sudden movements. :smokin: