Pom Pom crabs lost their poms.

[mandarin_goby]

Sad...my 2 Pom poms lost their pom poms. I never thought I'd write a sentence like that. Seriously, they just wave their little claws around...makes me sad. I guess they lost them in a molt. They mate all the time, so I guess they're ok, and I feed them directly when I see them. Anyone else had this issue?

 

[J2T]

My pom pom never had his so I'm looking at getting a second because I hear they will share them. I'm surprised they lost them, from what I hear they will grab them off the molt when they do molt. Mine has been fine for about 4 months or so without them so really shouldn't be an issue with their survival in our tanks.

 

[Breadman03]

Mine lost them in a molt about a week ago. I think my Vortech on NTM pulled them off the molt.

I haven't seen it much since then, either.

 

[mandarin_goby]

Thanks for the insight! I almost want to add a couple more to share their poms, or something. Then again, mine seem happy. I guess they'll be ok!

 

[Breadman03]

Sorry for the lame iPhone picture, but my lights aren't on yet and I didn't want to miss the opportunity. Actually, those two things would make for a great dinner!

I'm going to have to hit up the seafood department on my next shopping trip.

 

[mandarin_goby]

Too cute I love these little guys. One of mine is toting around a bright orange mass off eggs on her underside. When I bought them, I originally wanted one, but they were "in the act." So, I just bought both.

 

[EllieSuz]

Here's an interesting fact; if they lose one anemone, they will slice it in half so they keep two.

 

[mandarin_goby]

Mine did that for a little while - their poms got smaller and smaller...then, gone. I miss their little poms.

 

[Breadman03]

So, after a little while, my pom pom crab apparently began to miss its anemones and I caught it carrying around a tentacle from my BTA.

 

[phryan]

I've caught mine holding both poms on one claw while it did something with the other claw for a few minutes. Does anyone know if it's possible for the nems to live alone? Maybe try to build a reserve in case of loss.

 

[tatuaje08]

So, after a little while, my pom pom crab apparently began to miss its anemones and I caught it carrying around a tentacle from my BTA.

That is hilarious. Wrong kind of anemone!

 

[AmberFL03]

lol cute!

 

[PaulieReef]

This is adorable.

 

[peasofme]

don't they eventually lose their pom poms?

 

[J2T]

I recently bought a second pom pom and within about 10 minutes of him being in the tank he shared one of his nems and now about 2 weeks later they both have two nems each. Pretty cool. Believe I happened to get a male and female also because they became quite friendly at one point lol

 

[Duna_]

They can split or cut one "pompom" and have two (to share with other crab or for the other arm).

When they lose them, they can get other corals as pom poms:
http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/topic/81741-evil-pom-pom/

A ricordea:

A mushroom:

And even aitapsia.

Corals normally die because they are not meant to be carried and crushed.

 

[peasofme]

what are the nems they carry in the wild?

 

[Bluemon]

usually Bunodeopsis spp. or Triactis producta

EDIT: interesting... "In the Red Sea, Triactis producta is reported to be one of the most venomous of sea anemones. The symptoms of stings to bare skin include pain and swelling. In one reported case, these lasted for several weeks and were accompanied by a pigmented, blistered lesion and prolonged skin sensitivity. The toxic agent was found to be very stable and resistant to chemicals and heat treatment."

 

[peasofme]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triactis

interesting. i wouldn't want that anemone in my tank. maybe that's why i never see the crabs offered with their pom poms in the lfs's

 

[J2T]

Don't think I have ever heard of the anemones from Pom Pom Crabs being any sort of issue in home aquaria so I don't think they are any sort of threat IMO