Spider Decorator Crab - Is he Safe?

ameera

New member
Hi, I'm new to the hobby. I purchased a Spider decorator crab along with four other fish a while back, all who have since died due to an ich outbreak that I was not prepared for. At first I thought the crab killed the fish but it turns out they were sick and I just caught him eating them when they died.

I have been reading a lot of mixed reviews. Are these crabs safe or not to keep in my tank? I have recently purchased a Royal Gramma Basslet and a Ruby Red Dragonette. They all seem to be getting along fine although the crab seems to be getting ready to molt which may explain the inactivity.

I plan on adding a Pygmy Angelfish and a Wheeler's Shrimp Goby. (This is the setup I had before the outbreak). I am also in desperate need of a cleanup crew.

Will the spider decorator crab attack snails? I have read that they are scavengers but will they kill? I cannot find a straightforward answer. Please let me know what you think.

I have a 30 gallon biocube with 10 lbs of live rock.
 
IME every crab but porcelains are opportunistic and will eat whatever flesh they can easily grab. That includes flesh you may have spent good cash for.

My suggestions for a clean up crew are turbo snails, nass snails, conchs and cucs.
 
IME every crab but porcelains are opportunistic and will eat whatever flesh they can easily grab. That includes flesh you may have spent good cash for.

My suggestions for a clean up crew are turbo snails, nass snails, conchs and cucs.

I have a second 15 gallon tank. Should I move him there to spend out the rest of his days? What else could I put in there with him or should he just be alone forever?
 
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