Sps... Bubble algae.... Emerald Crabs??

[Reefnub]

Thanks for the advise. I bought 2 this week and have been keeping a close eye on them. A male and 1 female.... guess we'll see.

I did notice that one of them seem to hangout in my bird of paradise

It should be fine unless you see them nipping/eating it. Mines hung out in my valida for a while until it found a new location lol.

 

[listen2bob]

Watch the male, particularly when he gets big.

 

[mayjong]

picked up a female last night, really small - about 1 inch

 

[Fishypapa]

picked up a female last night, really small - about 1 inch

Also don't be surprised if you don't see her for a while. They're notoriously sneaky. Haha

 

[dowtish]

My powder brown tang decimates bubble algae.

 

[sahin]

I have 40 breeder with a mixture of LPS, SPS, and zoos. I am starting to lose a handle on controlling my bubble algae issue. Since I'm limited with fish options due to tank volume I'm thinking of throwing in 6 Emerald crabs. My only reservation is I've heard they can eat corals. Thoughts, tips....help!

OP: I wouldnt throw 6 in your 40 breeder. 2 is more than enough. I have 1 in my 47G and it controls bubble algae VERY well.

Having too many will mean sooner or later they run out of food (algae) and start ripping apart your corals! :fun5:

picked up a female last night, really small - about 1 inch

Cool! Mine is mostly nocturnal. Others I've had were out during the day etc.

 

[Fishypapa]

OP: I wouldnt throw 6 in your 40 breeder. 2 is more than enough. I have 1 in my 47G and it controls bubble algae VERY well.

Having too many will mean sooner or later they run out of food (algae) and start ripping apart your corals! :fun5:

+1 good advice. Mine was in a 38g and only rarely saw BA.

 

[mannysmusic]

I've seem my emerald crab eat algae off of the coral, but not actually eat the coral

 

[Fishypapa]

I've seem my emerald crab eat algae off of the coral, but not actually eat the coral

Mine hadn't done it before either but what finally earned his trip to the fuge was I saw him take a chunk (of coral) off my California tort.
He's happier down there anyway. Lol.

 

[mayjong]

Also don't be surprised if you don't see her for a while. They're notoriously sneaky. Haha

i figured. i could barely even see her when i put her on a rock, and i knew where she was!
question-
do emeralds molt like shrimp? just wondering in case i see a "carcass". thanks

 

[markalot]

Yes, emeralds molt just like shrimp.

 

[Cytranic]

My foxface got rid of my bubble.

 

[sahin]

My foxface got rid of my bubble.

YEah, whilst there are fishes that can be used, some of us cannot due to the size of our tanks. In such cases Emerald Crabs are awesome.

 

[LoJack]

i just put in 6 emerald crabs and caught 3 of them picking at my sps.now they are in the sump of prop system.i heard one spot foxface will eat bubble alage...that's my next option.good luck to you!!!!

My foxface got rid of my bubble.

I had a magnificent foxface in my last tank that decimated my bubble algae. I have a one spot in my current reef that doesn't care for the stuff at all. I guess it depends on the individual like most things ... mine treats bubble algae like liver or brocolli ... I'm sure if it was a starve or eat bubble algae situation he'd make the exception ... but as of now he does everything in his power to avoid it lol.

 

[Fishypapa]

YEah, whilst there are fishes that can be used, some of us cannot due to the size of our tanks. In such cases Emerald Crabs are awesome.

+1 Agree
A Foxface wouldn't be too happy in my 38g.

 

[JPMagyar]

I have always used the smaller emeralds to control/eradicate bubble algae in my tanks over the years. Every one of my tanks has always had emerald crabs. The only time I had a problem with emeralds was in my nano tank: this tank at some point stopped growing ANY algae whatsoever. At this point the emerald started to rip apart soft or fleshly corals/sponges etc and I knew it was doing so out of hunger.
At this point you either need to feed them or take them back to LFS.

+1

Same story here . . . I have used emerald crabs for algae control, especially bubble algae, in every tank I have ever had. I currently have a dozen or more in my frag system and my daughters IM 38 has 4 crabs. Personally I have never seen any literature or pictorial evidence of an emerald eating SPS. I imagine it is possible but as has been mentioned above it is likely only if they are starving and even then I would imagine there would have limited ability to "eat" stony corals given their paddle like pincer tips.

Anyways, add me to the list of folks who recommend emeralds for bubble algae control. Be patient as it does take a while.

 

[unejam]

My emerald did a great job of eating my bubble algae and then disappeared...

 

[Trock577]

I have put emerald crabs in my tank for bubble algae. And they don't even attempt to eat it. Why is that and how can i get that to change

 

[JPMagyar]

Supply and Demand: If there are other sources of food then they will eat that first. Bubble algae is most definitely not their preferred food. In my daughter's 38 gallon tank there are about 20 turbo snails, a half dozen blue leg hermits, and 4 emerald crabs. The emeralds didn't get to finishing off the bubble algae until about six months into the life of the tank. It can be a long slow process and in my experience it takes a group to make it happen.