Crab hiding

Cymonous · 04/10/2013, 07:49 PM

When I got my shrimp over a week ago, I had also purchased a strawberry crab. It started eating some of the algae from day one. Since then, it has been hiding in some of the rock. It picked the same spot my RG sleeps and hides. I moved my rock work a bit to try to cleanup some of the algae since the crab was not doing much. The crab went to a corner of the tank and was back to the old hiding spot the next morning. After a couple days, it dug itself further under the rock. I can see its legs through a hole under the rock from the front. I see him moving his legs every now and then. So, I know he is alive. He has been in there for the last couple days. Should I be worried? Is the RG keeping him in there?

bnumair · 04/10/2013, 07:58 PM

from what i have read over yrs they do hide good.

Cymonous · 04/10/2013, 08:11 PM

I think his only way out gets blocked by the RG as the RG puts its body in the entrance of the hole.

HumbleFish · 04/10/2013, 09:22 PM

Most crabs are nocturnal; I bet he only comes out at night.

Cymonous · 04/11/2013, 05:10 AM

This one is nocturnal. But, he is always in the same spot under this rock between the sand. The hole I can see him through is too small for him to fit through. The RG sleeps in the entrance to the entryway to where the crab has been. I am just worried he will starve in there. I don't think he has been coming out at all.

nynick · 04/11/2013, 07:01 AM

If he got there by himself he can get out too.

HumbleFish · 04/11/2013, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cymonous

This one is nocturnal. But, he is always in the same spot under this rock between the sand. The hole I can see him through is too small for him to fit through. The RG sleeps in the entrance to the entryway to where the crab has been. I am just worried he will starve in there. I don't think he has been coming out at all.

Try baiting him with a little raw shrimp or clam or something. See if he'll come out for that. Even if he grabs it and goes right back to that spot, at least you'll know him being there is of his own free will.

AFU · 04/11/2013, 08:39 AM

I agree as most crabs are nocturnal. He prolly waits for you to go to bed them comes out and when he sees you go's back to his hole. I wouldn't worry too much about it! Maybe scout the tank at 3 am with a flashlight

leveldrummer · 04/11/2013, 08:41 AM

he can get past the royal gramma just fine. he likely comes out at night, set an alarm for 3 in the morning and go inspect with a flashlight.

04/10/2013, 07:49 PM	#1
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	Crab hiding When I got my shrimp over a week ago, I had also purchased a strawberry crab. It started eating some of the algae from day one. Since then, it has been hiding in some of the rock. It picked the same spot my RG sleeps and hides. I moved my rock work a bit to try to cleanup some of the algae since the crab was not doing much. The crab went to a corner of the tank and was back to the old hiding spot the next morning. After a couple days, it dug itself further under the rock. I can see its legs through a hole under the rock from the front. I see him moving his legs every now and then. So, I know he is alive. He has been in there for the last couple days. Should I be worried? Is the RG keeping him in there? __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

04/10/2013, 07:58 PM	#2
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	from what i have read over yrs they do hide good. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

04/10/2013, 08:11 PM	#3
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	I think his only way out gets blocked by the RG as the RG puts its body in the entrance of the hole. __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

04/11/2013, 05:10 AM	#5
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	This one is nocturnal. But, he is always in the same spot under this rock between the sand. The hole I can see him through is too small for him to fit through. The RG sleeps in the entrance to the entryway to where the crab has been. I am just worried he will starve in there. I don't think he has been coming out at all. __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

04/11/2013, 08:39 AM	#8
AFU Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Vista, Ca Posts: 41	I agree as most crabs are nocturnal. He prolly waits for you to go to bed them comes out and when he sees you go's back to his hole. I wouldn't worry too much about it! Maybe scout the tank at 3 am with a flashlight __________________ 225 starfire in wall glass box stick dominated....(400gal TWV) RIP 4x2x2 sps dominated reef

04/10/2013, 09:22 PM	#4
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	Most crabs are nocturnal; I bet he only comes out at night.

04/11/2013, 07:01 AM	#6
nynick Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,029	If he got there by himself he can get out too.

04/11/2013, 08:41 AM	#9
leveldrummer Reefer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,831	he can get past the royal gramma just fine. he likely comes out at night, set an alarm for 3 in the morning and go inspect with a flashlight.