Need some ID

[stix_55]

Hello, can anyone help to identify these for me? Thanks in advance!

What plant is this?

What crab is this? It just left its shell there. I have no idea where it is! Is it safe?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kamil5000]

The plant looks like Maiden's Hair Plant (Chlorodesmis sp.) it's a macro algea, very useful for cultivating pods in your tank.

The crab - I don't know (young Xanthid ? maybe). IMO no crab is reef-safe.

 

[stix_55]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6536748#post6536748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kamil5000
The plant looks like Maiden's Hair Plant (Chlorodesmis sp.) it's a macro algea, very useful for cultivating pods in your tank.

The crab - I don't know (young Xanthid ? maybe). IMO no crab is reef-safe.

Ah, i see. Pods just produce on its own?
Oh no, how do I find the crab? Is there any way to do so?

 

[kamil5000]

All tanks have pods as hitchikers and in the sand bed etc. some plants help them to cultivate better like Chaetomorpha as well as maiden's hair - as they offer a secure place for them to multiply.

The best time to look for crabs is at night - after lights out. If you use a flashlight with a red plastic cover to change the lights spectrum - the crab will not hide from the light.

I've pulled two crabs from my tank; one by accident - sucked out during routine cleaning. The other two me almost a month to catch! I even poked it in its little hole and tor one of it arms off bu it still survived for a few weeks until I finally trapped it, - poor guy was a real fighter.

 

[stix_55]

Geez, do they only come out at night? Guess I got to do that..

 

[kamil5000]

Sometimes in the day, but 95% at night - to feed.

Good Luck.

 

[stix_55]

Should I remove the shell? Does it do any good to the water?

 

[kamil5000]

I don't think the molted shell has any benefits or does any harm. Having said that, I'd remove it if it were me.

 

[stix_55]

Oh okie, thanks.