How to remove pea crab from flame scallop?

[shiftline]

There is a pea crab inside my flame scallop. Is there any way to safely remove it or lure him out with out harming the scallop?

 

[ginpang]

How to remove pea crab from flame scallop?

@ disclaimer; I'm no expert in scallops and oysters .....but I would probably try a pair of tweezers ( which may be totally wrong by the way)...
I'm answering so maybe others will chime in and get the ball rolling.

Though I' m pretty sure that as Long as they are in the same tank the pea crab will go back for shelter and food.



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[shiftline]

I guess the real question is.. Will there be any harm to the flame scallop if I leave it?

I think the scallop will close up of I poke something inside and likely do some damage to it

 

[Ron Reefman]

The little reading I've done on the Pea Crab (if you are 100% sure that's what it is) says that it is a 'parasite' to the scallop and not a commensal one as the host may be harmed by the crabs feeding activities. They also can live in a variety of other animals like sea urchins and sand dollars in the rectum of sea cucumbers, in the tubes of parchment worms, in the burrows of mud shrimp, or in the gills of sea squirts.

 

[shiftline]

How to remove pea crab from flame scallop?

I'm not 100% sure but that's my guess

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

I will tell you this- if you stick ANYTHING into that scallop, you WILL damage it and potentially kill it. Your best bet is to try to get the crab if it ever comes out of the scallop. You could try a crab trap consisting of a drinking glass on an angle with a little food in it, near the scallop. The trap works because once a crab goes in, it cannot grip the glass (which is on a steepish angle) and climb out.

I think for now you should just observe them and see if the crab appears to actually be doing any damage. It does not look like the traditional species of pea crab found in corals and therefore I do not think we should jump to the conclusion that this is an emergency.

 

[shiftline]

Sound sgood. I'll let it be for now. Thanks bongo shrimp

 

[sam.basye]

I would think the scallop would be closed if the crab was irritating it.

So, the crab may not be doing any harm since the scallop looks really good, happy and open.

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Found this reading thought about this post. Got to love Martin Moe.

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Or it could not post my awesome photos.... sorry.

I was reading the marine aquarists quiz book. Found a entry about how pea carbs are not dangerous to the scallop or oyster.

 

[shiftline]

Even better. Thanks!

 

[InOrderToBeAble]

My flame scallop

My flame scallop

wanted to share

 

[LadAShark]

Honestly it looks like a parasitic crab to me, but I might be completely wrong.

Were you able to get it off?

 

[Shawn O]

Great photos!