emerald crabs keep messing with my sun coral

agoutihead · 09/12/2007, 08:10 AM

I just got a sun coral yesterday and my stupid emerald crabs have been all over it.

they do sometimes stick their claws in a closed up polyp, but I dont think they are actually eating the sun polyp.

has anyone else had this problem?

the sun coral is safe even though they are making them not come out right?

any way to keep the crabs off of them so the polyps stay open?

Ismellikefish · 09/12/2007, 08:41 AM

I have had bad luck with Em. crabs

One was eating my GSP > pulling the purple mat up and eating it.
He is now part of my fuge along with the other Em. crab I had in my display. The second one attacked and killed my clown fish.

So long story short, no Em. crabs in my tank ever!
Can't help ya with the coral question tho

beez · 09/12/2007, 09:50 AM

My Emerald crabs ate yellow polyps, zoas and palys and star polyps, and I've decided never again to have any. My .02 would be to remove them....even if they're not actually eating the coral I think they will damage it through constant contact and by interrupting its ability to feed. Best of luck!!!!

SlowCobra · 09/12/2007, 10:28 AM

They are hit and miss. They are trying to eat it, remove them immediately. I have a couple that never touch anything. 1 day one of them was sitting at the base of a Devils Hand Leather and reaching up over the top trying to pull out polyps. He lives in the fuge now.

09/12/2007, 08:10 AM	#1
agoutihead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,720	emerald crabs keep messing with my sun coral I just got a sun coral yesterday and my stupid emerald crabs have been all over it. they do sometimes stick their claws in a closed up polyp, but I dont think they are actually eating the sun polyp. has anyone else had this problem? the sun coral is safe even though they are making them not come out right? any way to keep the crabs off of them so the polyps stay open? __________________ Experience the Liquid Realm...

09/12/2007, 09:50 AM	#3
beez Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 254	My Emerald crabs ate yellow polyps, zoas and palys and star polyps, and I've decided never again to have any. My .02 would be to remove them....even if they're not actually eating the coral I think they will damage it through constant contact and by interrupting its ability to feed. Best of luck!!!! __________________ After years of frustration with get-rich-quick schemes, I know I'm going to get rich with THIS scheme. And quick.

09/12/2007, 08:41 AM	#2
Ismellikefish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 271	I have had bad luck with Em. crabs One was eating my GSP > pulling the purple mat up and eating it. He is now part of my fuge along with the other Em. crab I had in my display. The second one attacked and killed my clown fish. So long story short, no Em. crabs in my tank ever! Can't help ya with the coral question tho

09/12/2007, 10:28 AM	#4
SlowCobra Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 3,079	They are hit and miss. They are trying to eat it, remove them immediately. I have a couple that never touch anything. 1 day one of them was sitting at the base of a Devils Hand Leather and reaching up over the top trying to pull out polyps. He lives in the fuge now.