bad green emrald crabs

eyedoc · 03/28/2009, 06:11 PM

I put green emrald crabs in my reef tank to eat hair algae but they are only eating corraline.
There are probably different species in this group that behave differently.
I'm considering taking them out which will be hard without hurting them because they lock on to the rock when I grab them.
What has been your experience with these?
Thanks

Mopar Reefer · 03/28/2009, 06:16 PM

I have 5 in my 100 and they foraged on my GHA when I was battling it a few months back. Since the GHA has been gone they just pick at the rocks I haven't really noticed them as being coraline killers. Everyone has different experience with emeralds.

Forge77 · 03/28/2009, 06:29 PM

Mine will pick at the coraline every now and then, but it grows back.

I have one and it seems to love all types of algae as well as anything else it gets it claws on.

If it were me I'd keep them. They might get tired of the coraline and move on to the hair.

eyedoc · 03/29/2009, 08:52 AM

Do you really think they might get tired of the coraline and move on to the hair?
The coraline is getting beat up now. I know it will grow back.
They seem to have zero interest in the hair algae.

bsmith22 · 03/29/2009, 09:54 AM

I think its a hit or miss with those guys. I have 3 which I purchased for bubble algae, and they will eat anything else, but that!

03/28/2009, 06:11 PM	#1
eyedoc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 723	bad green emrald crabs I put green emrald crabs in my reef tank to eat hair algae but they are only eating corraline. There are probably different species in this group that behave differently. I'm considering taking them out which will be hard without hurting them because they lock on to the rock when I grab them. What has been your experience with these? Thanks

03/28/2009, 06:16 PM	#2
Mopar Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach Posts: 465	I have 5 in my 100 and they foraged on my GHA when I was battling it a few months back. Since the GHA has been gone they just pick at the rocks I haven't really noticed them as being coraline killers. Everyone has different experience with emeralds.

03/28/2009, 06:29 PM	#3
Forge77 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 32	Mine will pick at the coraline every now and then, but it grows back. I have one and it seems to love all types of algae as well as anything else it gets it claws on. If it were me I'd keep them. They might get tired of the coraline and move on to the hair.

03/29/2009, 08:52 AM	#4
eyedoc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 723	Do you really think they might get tired of the coraline and move on to the hair? The coraline is getting beat up now. I know it will grow back. They seem to have zero interest in the hair algae.

03/29/2009, 09:54 AM	#5
bsmith22 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lebanon,PA Posts: 207	I think its a hit or miss with those guys. I have 3 which I purchased for bubble algae, and they will eat anything else, but that!