Emerald crab problems?

[thedeper]

I got me a fairly large emerald a couple days ago and I am looking at him picking around some of my zoas. Has anyone had this problem? Do emeralds normally go after corals? I thought that they were reef safe and that is the only reason I picked him up...any help please.

 

[steve]

I've had a person tell me not to get one, I still may, I have a little hair algae problem in my tank. But we drop corals in with them at Marine Fish, and they are our silent workers!

 

[thedeper]

Hmm...maybe he is just feeling out my tank right now. I'd hate to get rid of him, he is a cool lil fella.

 

[mvm]

I found my emerald crab on my sunset monti and down the toilet it went!

 

[thedeper]

Haha...well if it was on a sunset then it might be a different story but it was just feeling around some cheap zoas so I will leave him be for now.

 

[roundman]

I've had emerald crabs in my tank for over a year and they have not been a problem at all.

I really like the little guys

 

[jade76]

No crabs are completely reef safe; its just a generalized guidline for most of the species. Some may never touch a coral while other may occasionally nibble at them. Its not their fault, and certainly shouldnt be flushed down the toilet for displaying their natuaral behaviors.

 

[geno]

I purchased 3 a few months ago for my 125g -- so far no problems. Of course, I don't see them much -- they tend to come out more at night.

 

[george]

Generally, crabs are "oportunistic omnivores", but it sounds more like your emerald was picking at algae around the zoos.

 

[purplegorilla]

I love my emeralds. Ever since I started keeping them, I never once noticed any bubble algae growing in my tank.

 

[purplegorilla]

Mine have been in the tank for a year already. They still are about 1 inch wide.

 

[thedeper]

Ok, the crab has got to go... He has ate well over 10 eagle eye zoas as well as some cheap ones, so he is getting the boot.

Anyone have a good way to catch him? He is quite the crafty veteran it seems.

 

[dave green]

I miss my emeralds... I may have to get a few. They were great. But then again, that was also before I had any real corals to speak of.

I think they became lunch for a lionfish or a chocolate chip star.

 

[thedeper]

Well I couldn't catch him...but I gave him a warning poke and he has stopped for now haha. Seriously he needs to stop playin.