SPS CRAB id...safe???

majesticangelfish · #1 09/17/2004, 06:59 AM

Hi got this new sps about a week ago now, (slowly getting more colour

), but it does have two of these crabs that STAY on this coral. Anybody seen these before? Are they safe??

Cheers Josh

jpg · #2 09/17/2004, 07:08 AM

Xanthiid crabs.They indigenous to stony coral.However I have heard that the blue eyed ones are bad for the coral.It looks like that is a blue eye and I would wait for a few more opinions before taking affirmative action.

Good luck with your new coral!

majesticangelfish · #3 09/17/2004, 07:11 AM

Thanks for the reply mate, Cheers

Josh

Skipper · #4 09/17/2004, 09:16 PM

No, no, no!!!! That's a good fella. I had one for a couple of years just like that one that lived in a pink bird's nest. They are so cool.

DO NOT destroy it or banish it, please.

majesticangelfish · #5 09/17/2004, 11:10 PM

Thanks for the reply Skipper, They'll be protected...
Cheers Josh

vester_72 · #6 09/17/2004, 11:14 PM

I have had two of them in my pink pocillopora for about 1.5 years - they are very cool and have not harmed the coral at all.

They are great to watch and will not harm the coral at all - enjoy them

MargaritaMan · #7 09/17/2004, 11:59 PM

I must have a dozen of those little guys. One day no crab in the acro, a few weeks later, there they are. MM

Ron Leversee · #8 09/18/2004, 12:31 AM

I have one also.... It will roam at night and will try and get food in all the wrong places.... If the claw is hooked it is a predator... If they are straight they are algae eaters... I would watch it closely and as long as he is a little dude he probably won't do to much damage.... When he gets bigger, by by fish, shrimp, hermits snails or any other thing he can catch!!

krootk22 · #9 09/18/2004, 01:40 AM

i have one and he's not caused any problems at all.

NuclearReefs · #10 09/18/2004, 07:33 AM

I have a few and they keep the colonies that dont have an acro crab clean on the insides...and they do a weird little dance from time to time,,lol

flamewrasse · #11 09/18/2004, 12:04 PM

what about blue eyed, green ones? i found one in a piece of bali aquaculture acro i have

SaltwaterSensei · #12 09/18/2004, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NuclearReefs
I have a few and they keep the colonies that dont have an acro crab clean on the insides...and they do a weird little dance from time to time,,lol

Yea mine do that strange dance too. They wave thier claws all about and jump up and down its kinda funny watching them do it.

Ron Leversee · #13 09/18/2004, 02:17 PM

They are fun... Just have to remember that they can get ugly!! They are a crab.. They are not listed as a reef safe crab if they have the blue eyes and hooked claws...

I still have mine in the display and he is so small not any damage being done that I can see...

They are crazy and fun to see dance around all big and brave!!!

AQUAN8TOR · #14 09/18/2004, 02:40 PM

I think it's a trapezius species. I had one on my A. humilis I just got rid of.

flamewrasse · #15 09/20/2004, 04:58 AM

how do i get the crab out of my acro colony then, its been in my tank for a week now.

flamewrasse · #16 09/20/2004, 05:13 AM

also mine has black claws

NuclearReefs · #17 09/20/2004, 08:32 AM

I use a precision screw driver to chase them to one side then tiny needle nose pliers to pull them out .. sounds brutal,, but theydont give up easy at all..

reeftechie · #18 09/20/2004, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by flamewrasse
what about blue eyed, green ones? i found one in a piece of bali aquaculture acro i have

They are good only if you like to watch your acro's die

..

I get them with a very small pair of needle nose pliers and then put them into a tank i have with no acroâ€™s and give them to people that have fish only tanks, I just donâ€™t feel right killing them.

RT