Life and Death in a 55 Corner (Photo Intense)
 

Yesterday, I looked in my tank and saw my Arrow Crab holding a struggling but mortally wounded Cleaner Shrimp in its single claw:

[IMG]http://images.mdlindquist.com/shrimp%20vs%20crab%20001%20%28Large%29.jpg[/IMG]

After a few minutes, as the crab fought off fish interested in eating the shrimp flesh, I noticed my urchin rising from the live rock:

[IMG]http://images.mdlindquist.com/shrimp%20vs%20crab%20011%20%28Large%29.jpg[/IMG]

Within minutes, the urchin had engulfed the shrimp and was pulling it down into the rock as the crab tugged mightily:

[IMG]http://images.mdlindquist.com/shrimp%20vs%20crab%20018%20%28Large%29.jpg[/IMG]

The urchin won the tug of war, and within minutes, it had completely swarmed over the shrimp and devoured it, leaving the crab without its prey. Not long after this last photo, all evidence of the shrimp was gone.



[IMG]http://images.mdlindquist.com/shrimp%20vs%20crab%20028%20%28Large%29.jpg[/IMG]

I had 2 arrow crabs, ended up getting rid of them one of them tore apart a feather duster and the other was just a pain aswell. I thought they were somewhat freindy at first but I was wrong. Got lucky on taking the pics and It looks like the urchin or crab had a good meal. Im getting to hate any type of crab day by day now.

Well crabs have claws for a reason ya know ;) Not just for looking friendly.

The strange thing is that these three creatures have been living in the same small 55 gallon tank for almost three years without a problem.

I have a donut coral that makes regular meals out of blue legged hermits. One of these days, I am going to get a picture worth showing of nothing but the crabs legs sticking out of the coral.

Sure is a site to see. joeychitwood, would have loved to see that drama unfold.

Nice battle you caught there. I've had one cleaner shrimp die on me once and caught the other shrimp and some blue legged hermit crabs fighting over it before the emerald crab came over and showed who was boss.

Most surprising to me was the urchin rising from the depths to snatch the shrimp. There was a mighty tug of war, with the crab bracing itself against rocks and pulling until I thought its claw would pop off. It was no match for the torque of an urchin, however.