I thought Emerald Crabs were reef safe

kfennell · 01/24/2009, 11:49 PM

So my emerald crab knocked over a frag of birdsnest and is eating away at it. I wanted to get a picture, but my battery turned off as I got the camera out. I thought that they were safe and have 3 in my 20g. I suppose its possible that it is just picking things off the frag, but it doesn't look like it.

What gives?

D_Hood87 · 01/24/2009, 11:52 PM

3 in a 20 gal sounds like a little much to me, sounds like they are running out of food or the birdsnest was on its way out anyway and he is just cleaning up the "trash" so to speak

kfennell · 01/25/2009, 12:01 AM

Either of those could be true, one came in as a hitchhiker, I should have just thrown it out then.

Whys · 01/25/2009, 01:10 AM

I have a single emerald in my 37g. He's great and plays a valuable role, but I have heard of them becoming opportunistic. My guess would be hunger.

No need to throw him out tho. They will eat some meat from time to time, especially if they are hungry. Just feed the little bugger.

ransomed4ever · 01/25/2009, 01:30 AM

If it was the one that was a hitchhiker it may not actually be an emerald, but I have heard of them cleaning up things that are on their way out.

Mark426 · 01/25/2009, 06:03 AM

IMO....no crab is totally reef safe. If they get hungry enough they will eat whatever it takes to stay alive. Also, seems most small "reef safe" crabs are ok...but...they larger they get the more danger they are to corals/fish/inverts.

Beanfish · 01/25/2009, 12:14 PM

I had to return one of mine to the lfs. He was fine when I had bubble algae but after that started eating my hammer coral. I had one beofre that was totally fine. They're hit or miss.

fcmatt · 01/25/2009, 12:18 PM

i would also guess hunger. that is all those things do it
eat.

Whys · 01/25/2009, 12:28 PM

Not true! Mine likes to thumb wrestle my brittle-star and occasionally winks at me.

01/24/2009, 11:49 PM	#1
kfennell Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Firestone, CO Posts: 407	I thought Emerald Crabs were reef safe So my emerald crab knocked over a frag of birdsnest and is eating away at it. I wanted to get a picture, but my battery turned off as I got the camera out. I thought that they were safe and have 3 in my 20g. I suppose its possible that it is just picking things off the frag, but it doesn't look like it. What gives?

01/24/2009, 11:52 PM	#2
D_Hood87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 323	3 in a 20 gal sounds like a little much to me, sounds like they are running out of food or the birdsnest was on its way out anyway and he is just cleaning up the "trash" so to speak __________________ DONALD Current Tank Info: 160gal REBUILD....GOING SPS ALL THE WAY!!!

01/25/2009, 12:01 AM	#3
kfennell Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Firestone, CO Posts: 407	Either of those could be true, one came in as a hitchhiker, I should have just thrown it out then.

01/25/2009, 01:10 AM	#4
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	I have a single emerald in my 37g. He's great and plays a valuable role, but I have heard of them becoming opportunistic. My guess would be hunger. No need to throw him out tho. They will eat some meat from time to time, especially if they are hungry. Just feed the little bugger.

01/25/2009, 01:30 AM	#5
ransomed4ever Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sterling, Illinois Posts: 332	If it was the one that was a hitchhiker it may not actually be an emerald, but I have heard of them cleaning up things that are on their way out.

01/25/2009, 06:03 AM	#6
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	IMO....no crab is totally reef safe. If they get hungry enough they will eat whatever it takes to stay alive. Also, seems most small "reef safe" crabs are ok...but...they larger they get the more danger they are to corals/fish/inverts.

01/25/2009, 12:14 PM	#7
Beanfish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 121	I had to return one of mine to the lfs. He was fine when I had bubble algae but after that started eating my hammer coral. I had one beofre that was totally fine. They're hit or miss.

01/25/2009, 12:18 PM	#8
fcmatt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NH Posts: 850	i would also guess hunger. that is all those things do it eat.

01/25/2009, 12:28 PM	#9
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Not true! Mine likes to thumb wrestle my brittle-star and occasionally winks at me.