Considering getting emerald crab. Good idea?

LennyD4 · 02/25/2012, 08:10 PM

I am considering getting an emerald crab for my 65g FOWLR tank.

Sock list

- Ocellaris Clown
- Bangaii Cardinal
- Diamond Watchman Goby
- Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
- Blood Red fire shrimp
- about 12 dwarf hermit crabs
- about 12 trochus snails

Could you see any problems that the crab would have with my current stock list? What are your experiences with them ?

TucanSam007 · 02/25/2012, 08:11 PM

emerald crabs have been great with me. Don't see any problems

uncleof6 · 02/25/2012, 08:26 PM

Emerald crabs, like all crabs including hermits, are omnivores--and opportunistic feeders. They eat both plants and animals. If they can catch it, they will eat it--including fish. Many end up going back to the LFS, or living a lonely life in a sump. It is said, they are reef safe with caution, but many disappearances of critters, have given the emeralds a full tummy.

jasin401 · 02/25/2012, 11:37 PM

your goby will be happy with a pistol shrimp :-)

LennyD4 · 02/26/2012, 01:10 AM

Wont a pistol shrimp be trouble with my other 2 shrimp?

Six2seven · 02/26/2012, 01:21 AM

my emerald crab is the coolest thing in my tank. i don't know how he climbs but he gets on everything and its just cool to watch him. i have a full sps tank with some zoos and he doesn't bother anyone or anything.

Nano.tanker · 02/26/2012, 02:50 AM

My Emerald Crab is cool, but he munches on my Candy Cane Coral. Out of everything in the tank, that's the one he goes to unless I spot feed him regularly.

Honestly, I've been disappointed in his feeding habits cause I got him for a reason. He was hired to help with bubble algae and normal tank clean up which he apparently decided to go on strike from.

The only reason I keep him is cause he's interesting to watch sometimes. If that's enough for you than go for it. Otherwise, I'd recommend against one cause if not monitored, they can give you a headache when they decide to go rouge and munch on your reef.

Sun357 · 02/26/2012, 05:24 AM

They can be iffy from all i've read.

Personally mine hasn't bothered anything except eating bubble and hair algae I had in the past. My hermits on the other hand...have taken out snails.

~Fred

LennyD4 · 02/26/2012, 08:23 AM

Well I have a FOWLR so he wont be bothering any corals at all. The only thing I dont want to happen is for him to go after my shrimp or fish.

Sun357 · 02/26/2012, 08:46 AM

They are 'opportunistic' feeders. If they get hungry enough they could take out shrimp or snails. I don't think any crab is 100% safe around reef/shrimp/snails but I personally wouldn't worry too much...others may freak out about them.

~Fred

Tethered_Limbs · 02/26/2012, 09:02 AM

would have to be one dumb shrimp to get caught by something that cant swim

Playa-1 · 02/26/2012, 09:28 AM

I would skip the crab. If it came in as a freeloader then I would likely leave it in and observe it, but I wouldn't intentionally introduce one.

thor109 · 02/26/2012, 09:32 AM

Mine has been great, everyone loves to watch him. A great entertaining addition to my tank.

Gary Majchrzak · 02/26/2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LennyD4

Well I have a FOWLR so he wont be bothering any corals at all. The only thing I dont want to happen is for him to go after my shrimp or fish.

not gonna happen. Emeralds are slow moving. I have a dozen of 'em in my reef aquarium. Good for picking at algae.

stepnic2 · 02/26/2012, 09:37 AM

I've got a couple and have been great additions. Keeps the tank clear of algae.

megatron8121 · 02/26/2012, 09:38 AM

I have a real big one and he's awesome to watch. Also have a smaller one but haven't seen him in awhile. He hides alot more than the big one though, I've gone months without seeing him then one morning he's out front prancing around the tank. They don't bother my fish or snails. I just started corals in the last two weeks but haven't seen them touch those either.

Sk8r · 02/26/2012, 11:31 AM

I like to watch crabs---but the emeralds don't come out except in the dark, and if fish happen to den up near them at night, they may take a piece out of the fish. They're no help with algae---not that I ever found, not bubble, not regular, and they get larger and hungrier. Worse is the sally lightfoots, which are incredibly entertaining, but get the size of dinner plates and eat your fish; and the arrow crabs, which wipe out the bristleworms which are essential for your tank's cleanup crew.
My advice is get a crew of little scarlet hermits---they're colorful, funny, and harmless to everything I've ever kept, from fragile sps corals to perching fish.

Gary Majchrzak · 02/26/2012, 12:18 PM

larger hermits might kill scarlets.

I'd go with emerald crabs, especially if there's undesirable algae growing on rocks in his FOWLR

LennyD4 · 02/26/2012, 12:51 PM

Thanks for all the feedback.

Ambiturner006 · 05/05/2012, 06:33 PM

I had the same question as the OP. Thanks for all the great replies.

Tschupe · 05/05/2012, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncleof6

Emerald crabs, like all crabs including hermits, are omnivores--and opportunistic feeders. They eat both plants and animals. If they can catch it, they will eat it--including fish. Many end up going back to the LFS, or living a lonely life in a sump. It is said, they are reef safe with caution, but many disappearances of critters, have given the emeralds a full tummy.

I've got 2 red legged hermits and 2 blue knuckles and snails dying left and right. Are the crabs the likely culprit?

tritonman · 05/06/2012, 01:48 PM

I have one and I'm pretty sure he was clipping my pocillopora. I see it again and he gets the boot.

02/25/2012, 08:10 PM	#1
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 633	Considering getting emerald crab. Good idea? I am considering getting an emerald crab for my 65g FOWLR tank. Sock list - Ocellaris Clown - Bangaii Cardinal - Diamond Watchman Goby - Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - Blood Red fire shrimp - about 12 dwarf hermit crabs - about 12 trochus snails Could you see any problems that the crab would have with my current stock list? What are your experiences with them ?

02/25/2012, 08:11 PM	#2
TucanSam007 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Suffolk, Long Island Posts: 652	emerald crabs have been great with me. Don't see any problems __________________ 65g sps tank, 20L sump, Apex, ATI Sunpower 6x39/Reef brite, SSA CS1, 2xMP10wes & 1 MP40wes, Eheim 1260, Tunze Osmolator, Two-part, GFO/Gac

02/25/2012, 08:26 PM	#3
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	Emerald crabs, like all crabs including hermits, are omnivores--and opportunistic feeders. They eat both plants and animals. If they can catch it, they will eat it--including fish. Many end up going back to the LFS, or living a lonely life in a sump. It is said, they are reef safe with caution, but many disappearances of critters, have given the emeralds a full tummy. __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

02/26/2012, 01:21 AM	#6
Six2seven Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Pedro, CA Posts: 539	my emerald crab is the coolest thing in my tank. i don't know how he climbs but he gets on everything and its just cool to watch him. i have a full sps tank with some zoos and he doesn't bother anyone or anything. __________________ Steve Rodriguez President - Los Angeles Reef Society www.LAreefsociety.org 150g SPS reef tank Current Tank Info: 150g SPS reef tank, 180g FOWLR tank.

02/26/2012, 09:37 AM	#15
stepnic2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 182	I've got a couple and have been great additions. Keeps the tank clear of algae. __________________ 125 gallon reef, Eschopps 150 skimmer, 50 gallon sump, 3 175 watt mh, 1/3 hp chiller, 58 gallon tank just recently set up. One cool wife. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon,45 gallon sump,eshopps 150 skimmer, ans so on,so on

02/25/2012, 11:37 PM	#4
jasin401 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Providence Posts: 252	your goby will be happy with a pistol shrimp :-)

02/26/2012, 01:10 AM	#5
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 633	Wont a pistol shrimp be trouble with my other 2 shrimp?

02/26/2012, 02:50 AM	#7
Nano.tanker Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 35	My Emerald Crab is cool, but he munches on my Candy Cane Coral. Out of everything in the tank, that's the one he goes to unless I spot feed him regularly. Honestly, I've been disappointed in his feeding habits cause I got him for a reason. He was hired to help with bubble algae and normal tank clean up which he apparently decided to go on strike from. The only reason I keep him is cause he's interesting to watch sometimes. If that's enough for you than go for it. Otherwise, I'd recommend against one cause if not monitored, they can give you a headache when they decide to go rouge and munch on your reef.

02/26/2012, 05:24 AM	#8
Sun357 Geek Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Rantoul, IL Posts: 137	They can be iffy from all i've read. Personally mine hasn't bothered anything except eating bubble and hair algae I had in the past. My hermits on the other hand...have taken out snails. ~Fred

02/26/2012, 08:23 AM	#9
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 633	Well I have a FOWLR so he wont be bothering any corals at all. The only thing I dont want to happen is for him to go after my shrimp or fish.

02/26/2012, 08:46 AM	#10
Sun357 Geek Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Rantoul, IL Posts: 137	They are 'opportunistic' feeders. If they get hungry enough they could take out shrimp or snails. I don't think any crab is 100% safe around reef/shrimp/snails but I personally wouldn't worry too much...others may freak out about them. ~Fred

02/26/2012, 09:02 AM	#11
Tethered_Limbs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 257	would have to be one dumb shrimp to get caught by something that cant swim

02/26/2012, 09:28 AM	#12
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I would skip the crab. If it came in as a freeloader then I would likely leave it in and observe it, but I wouldn't intentionally introduce one.

02/26/2012, 09:32 AM	#13
thor109 Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plainfield, Indiana Posts: 822	Mine has been great, everyone loves to watch him. A great entertaining addition to my tank.

02/26/2012, 09:38 AM	#16
megatron8121 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 119	I have a real big one and he's awesome to watch. Also have a smaller one but haven't seen him in awhile. He hides alot more than the big one though, I've gone months without seeing him then one morning he's out front prancing around the tank. They don't bother my fish or snails. I just started corals in the last two weeks but haven't seen them touch those either.

02/26/2012, 11:31 AM	#17
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I like to watch crabs---but the emeralds don't come out except in the dark, and if fish happen to den up near them at night, they may take a piece out of the fish. They're no help with algae---not that I ever found, not bubble, not regular, and they get larger and hungrier. Worse is the sally lightfoots, which are incredibly entertaining, but get the size of dinner plates and eat your fish; and the arrow crabs, which wipe out the bristleworms which are essential for your tank's cleanup crew. My advice is get a crew of little scarlet hermits---they're colorful, funny, and harmless to everything I've ever kept, from fragile sps corals to perching fish. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/26/2012, 12:18 PM	#18
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	larger hermits might kill scarlets. I'd go with emerald crabs, especially if there's undesirable algae growing on rocks in his FOWLR __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

02/26/2012, 12:51 PM	#19
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 633	Thanks for all the feedback.

05/05/2012, 06:33 PM	#20
Ambiturner006 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 108	I had the same question as the OP. Thanks for all the great replies.

05/06/2012, 01:48 PM	#22
tritonman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: ft lauderdale Posts: 60	I have one and I'm pretty sure he was clipping my pocillopora. I see it again and he gets the boot.