Pest or safe crab in zoa colony?

[dollarPit]

Was watching a colony where I saw a few individual polyps start to close. Barely visible i spot a tiny claw, appeared translucent, and about a quarter the size of the polyp diameter.

Sorry no pics as you small for my camera. Are there safe critters that work on the detritus in the colony?

This survived a 15 minute revive dip.

Thanks for any advice.

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[organism]

The vast majority of crabs are bad news, I'd pull it and get a photo if you can. If it's hairy or has sharp claws it might be best to banish it to the sump.

 

[dollarPit]

Emerald joined the party later and was caught and banished, have to watch for other. How long can I hold rock out of water while looking for the crab buried in the colony or rock crevices?

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[organism]

How long can I hold rock out of water while looking for the crab buried in the colony or rock crevices?

A lot longer than if you poured soda water into the crevices :thumbsup:

 

[coralmoral]

Definitely yank it. I once bought an emerald crab for algae, and it devoured my entire zoa colony. It's best to pop it in the sump or give it to a friend. They aren't compatible with soft corals like zoa.