Surprise algae removal service!

[Hephalump]

So a couple of weeks ago I bought a new system off a guy on craigslist, and it came with about a dozen large non reef-safe looking hermit crabs of several different varieties. Not wanting to kill them, I threw them in the sump. While I was aquascaping I came across several little pieces of rock rubble that had gotten covered in various nuisance algae. I threw those in the sump as well.
Last night I happened to look in the sump and notice that all the pieces of rubble were absolutely clean. I started doubting that they ever had algae on them at all, so I decided to test it out on a larger piece of live rock. I picked a really nasty overgrown looking piece and put it in there, and this morning I saw the hermits all over it, and it's almost picked clean too. These guys are the best. I'd never let them in my display, but they are doing a bangup job on my algae problem. All I have to do is rotate pieces of rock into the sump and take them out when they're clean. :dance:

Just thought I'd share.

 

[Brian DeGolier]

Were they the kind with big hairy claws and heavily armored? Any pictures?

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Lucky you!
Please share some pictures of the crabs.:beer:

 

[gooberz]

I think he has the Hairy red leg crabs! They eat algea well

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Yeah, but if that's what they are he'd better keep 'em in the sump.
Those buggers get as big as softballs and can wreak havoc on a reef tank.

 

[gooberz]

^ Agreed^ they will mow down everything

 

[Hephalump]

Here's one of them, he was the only one who felt cooperative. There are also some zebra striped looking ones, and one that is red and blue and hairy, but they were camera shy.

This guy isn't really hairy, more smooth. I have a no crabs policy in the display.

oh, and don't make fun of me. I always wear gloves when putting my hands in the water to protect my livestock.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Hard to tell from the pic but that looks like a juvenile big hairy bugger.

 

[Hephalump]

lol, is that the scientific name?

 

[Hephalump]

I've decided to name this one Harry Bugger.

 

[cilyjr]

Wouldn't make fun of anyone who wears gloves. I do as well.

 

[pmrossetti]

hairy ones have big claws. don't see claws on him.

dardanus is species name for hairy ones.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

lol, is that the scientific name?

Yes, it from the genus Hairiana Buggerinis.

 

[aquaman67]

I'm going to ask a dumb question, but do you have light in your sump?

I think the problem with crabs in the display is that there are other things to eat, like fish food, so they leave the algae alone.

I have scarlet reef hermits and blue legs in my display.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Yes, it from the genus Hairiana Buggerinis.

:lol:

 

[cook]

And this whole time I thought that was my wife nickname...

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

And this whole time I thought that was my wife nickname...

I take it your wife NEVER reads this forum.:lolspin:

 

[Hephalump]

Aquaman67> Yes, I keep the sump lighted 24/7 with a ball of chaeto in the middle chamber.

pmrossetti> Actually he does have quite a large claw, but due to the angle of the photo and the way the light is reflecting its difficult to make out in the picture.

 

[Glazner]

thanks for the laugh!!