Monster Arrow Crab :-0

[ENGINEERgoby]

So few months ago I purchased an arrow crab and it arrived in a little three inch plastic bag. It has grown... In the past few weeks I saw it eating a hermit and later an emerald crab, and although I don't know if it actually killed them I thought it would be a good idea to give the arrow crab large bits of raw shrimp so it wouldn't get hungry and kill anyone.

The unanticipated consequence is that it has since molted again and is frighteningly huge, monstrous BEAST! I mean, sharp spikes all over its body and legs, probably a good 8 inches from tip to tip, and the scariest part is its new clawed arms. If it extends them they have got to be at least 4 inches long and they are about 1/4 inch wide. The blue claw itself is about half an inch long. AAAAAHHH! :eek1:

Honestly, I liked the crab and would be sad to sell him, but now he's downright scary. I only have two clowns and two damsels and it's a 120 gallon tank. So--should I be afraid? Is this guy going to start killing my fish and inverts? Or if I keep it busy with large pieces of raw shrimp, will it leave everything else alone (but keep growing)? Help!

 

[petoonia]

More than likely he is just going to keep growing, and requiring more to eat. If you keep feeding the crab it will just keep getting bigger, if you dont feed as much it will seek out food wherever it can. What do you like more the fish or the crab? Now might be a good time to decide.

Of course you could always set up a smaller tank, and house the arrow crab with some more appropriate tank mates.

Good Luck!!!

 

[imtheonlylp]

i had one as well, and it got really really big...but then died, so i wasnt shedding too many tears

 

[Ryanqk]

got a picture?

 

[dc]

They do have a reputation for being killers. If you could only get him to eat your damsels.

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

I want a pic of this thing, sounds cool!

 

[imtheonlylp]

i think i have a picture of mine at home...maybe i'll post later after work

 

[Phyto]

Same thing happened to me. It bought it very small within 3 months, it has grown huge. Mine is in a 46 bowfront full of coral. It has not bothered any of my fish (small ocellaris, clownface goby, pajama cardinals). I feed him about once a week. He wreaks havok on my bristle worms. I love him. I wouldn't worry about fish in a 120.

 

[DonavonsReef]

Molting one time is not going to turn a 4in crab into an 8in crab I think all your fuss is over nothing. These crabs are scavengers the only thing that should be scared are your bristle worms. Your crabs were most definatly dead when this crab started to cean up the mess. In a 120g tank I'm supprised you even see this guy. Stop feeding it large pieces of food that sounds like your problem.