Safely Removing Acro Crabs

[Dugless]

Anybody have tips for temporarily removing an acro crab? Would like to dip a purchased coral, but would also like to put the crab back if possible.

 

[jroovers]

With problem crabs it has been suggested that interceptor will at least temporarily make them sluggish, but might not kill them entirely. Could you use a weak interceptor solution to dip the piece, immobilize the crab, remove it safely, and then re-introduce after you dip the coral in a different solution? Of course this is a riskly proposition as you may injure or kill the crab in the process.

 

[Finland]

I have dipped a few corals with crabs in them. They survived the dip in revive. Pretty tough to remove the crab from a colony without damaging the coral or injuring the crab.

 

[Dugless]

I have tried twice in the past to remove them and managed to kill the crab from either stress or trauma. It seems these guys are pretty fragile. The coral colony in question harbors two beneficial crabs and I would like to keep them, but I'm hesitant to introduce red bugs or AEFW without the dip. I have the coral in QT now, how long would you observe before safe to introduce to the display?

 

[potterjon]

I used to dip all the corals at my lfs that came in, and all acro crabs survived, but we were using tropic marine pro coral cure which is iodine based. Not sure about other dips though.

 

[doosiec]

Using the proper dosage of revive knocks them unconscious for a while.
Enough for you to collect them from the bottom of the container.

Make sure to monitor them, otherwise they'll never turn right side up if they soak too long.

 

[jroovers]

Interesting topic, that is for sure. Let us know how you make out, whatever route you decide to go.

 

[ReefM@ster]

Hi fellow reefers,

In my case I was able to remove the colony from the main tank. I proceeded to spear the acro crab with a wooden tooth pick. Took me under a minute with no damage to the colony!!!

 

[accordsirh22]

the OP wants to put the crab back after a coral dip, not kill it....

 

[tinkerman]

i have been able to chase them out using a tweezer, straw or whatever. They will run and fall off the coral, just pick them up and place back in tank.

 

[bigt0706]

i have been able to chase them out using a tweezer, straw or whatever. They will run and fall off the coral, just pick them up and place back in tank.

second

 

[coralreefdoc]

Someone should spear him with a wooden toothpick