how to catch a gorrilla crab?

sjfishguy · #1 11/02/2007, 08:26 PM

I found a little one living deep in my pink birdsnest that is the size of a grapefruit. There is no way I can catch him inside the coral and I can't take this particular coral out of the tank. He is about the size of a fingernail and I actually watch him eat my birdsnest polyps. Has anyone caught one before? Are there small traps or something?

lotus02 · #2 11/02/2007, 08:36 PM

You can try to prop a small glass or vase on very slight angle near the coral bait with shrimp. (do this at just before or just after lights go out, I prefer after.) Caught my sallylightfoot this way took a few nights though.

bkwudzjeep · #3 11/02/2007, 08:37 PM

I have taken a glass and put a piece of shrimp (bait) in it and leaned it up against the area I saw him....has worked for some and not for others.

The crab can not crawl back out of the glass once it's in it...

reefer1024 · #4 11/02/2007, 08:38 PM

I don't like to suggest killing things, but if he is eating your coral and you have no other way to catch him try stabbing him with a chopstick

lotus02 · #5 11/02/2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefer1024
I don't like to suggest killing things, but if he is eating your coral and you have no other way to catch him try stabbing him with a chopstick

Kabob works better got a sharper end. LOL I've done this too works great, easier if you can get the coral out of the tank though.

pscheel · #6 11/02/2007, 08:58 PM

I don't want to hijack, but is this a Gorilla crab?

bkwudzjeep · #7 11/02/2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pscheel
I don't want to hijack, but is this a Gorilla crab?

It does not look like any one I have ever seen. They are very hairy looking, and more brown in color. From the looks of it, you may want to get that one out too....it's picking on what it is on. Pointed claws on a crab usually mean bad news...

sabodish · #8 11/02/2007, 09:19 PM

that looks like a rock or stone crab...caught one in my old tank after he ate about 1000 zoanthids and 20 rics!

sjfishguy · #9 11/02/2007, 09:24 PM

I guess I am mistaken because that pic looks exactly like what I am talking about. I tried jabbing him but because he is in a birdsnest, its impossible to get a straight shot. I thought about a glass, etc. but didnt know if anyone else had another idea. I need to get this thing out.

pscheel · #10 11/02/2007, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sabodish
that looks like a rock or stone crab...caught one in my old tank after he ate about 1000 zoanthids and 20 rics!

I guess it's time for me to go hunting. A person from another forum said they get to be as big as a dish.

twon8 · #11 11/02/2007, 11:52 PM

ive got a big one i saw for the second time two nights ago; im not sure what im gonna do about it.

Oldude · #12 11/03/2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pscheel
I don't want to hijack, but is this a Gorilla crab?

I have one of those too and he has cost me a fortune in zoos. He will pick up a whole frag plug or rock and take them into his den and eat them. He is very tricky and has a tunnel system through the rock work and I can't catch him.

SPStoner · #13 11/03/2007, 10:56 AM

This is a gorilla crab, and yes, they do get BIG! This guy was about 6 inches or so!

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