Adorable Acropora Crabs

Wilsoni · Mar 9, 2016

I picked up 3 incredibly adorable Acro Crabs at my LFS today. Each were tucked away inside of their own individual colonies. This might truly be my most exciting discovery ever!

Anything that will protect my acros has a spot in my tank (indefinitely)

I can easily Identify the crab on the right as a Trapezia Acropora Crab. However I'm having trouble accurately identifying the other two. Could they be Bandit Crabs?

-They quickly established a relationship

-Just hanging out

The most interesting part is that I placed one on my Hawkins Echinata colony, the other on my Cali Tort and the last one in my Suharsonoi colony. I went back in the room shortly after to check on them and they were all in my Hawkins suddenly...

Does anybody know if it's common for Acro Crabs to reside together on a single colony?

Mr. Microscope · Mar 10, 2016

Cute! Fun pick up!
I hope to have one or two some day. Can't help you out on the questions, but good luck and thank you for sharing the awesome pics!

scardall · Mar 10, 2016

I have 2 of these in my Bali now. They bothe started in 2 other colonies. (This pic is for ref. only) as I can't get a good pic as yet to show.

Wilsoni · Mar 10, 2016

Hey thank you! Their behavior is so interesting and I'm finding that there isn't much information on them. Needless to say they're a fun addition

aabjones888 · Mar 10, 2016

Sweet, never seen one befor

Wilsoni · Mar 10, 2016

scardall said:
I have 2 of these in my Bali now. They bothe started in 2 other colonies. (This pic is for ref. only) as I can't get a good pic as yet to show.

Ah that's awesome! So they both reside within the same colony as well?

scardall · Mar 10, 2016

It's too bad that you can't go to a web site and buy these directly.

Wilsoni · Mar 10, 2016

scardall said:
It's too bad that you can't go to a web site and buy these directly.

LiveAquaria has them available from time to time I believe.

scardall · Mar 10, 2016

Wilsoni said:
LiveAquaria has them available from time to time I believe.

thanks-I'll look for them.

KJ · Mar 10, 2016

KJ · Mar 10, 2016

Wilsoni said:
I picked up 3 incredibly adorable Acro Crabs at my LFS today. Each were tucked away inside of their own individual colonies. This might truly be my most exciting discovery ever!

Anything that will protect my acros has a spot in my tank (indefinitely)

I can easily Identify the crab on the right as a Trapezia Acropora Crab. However I'm having trouble accurately identifying the other two. Could they be Bandit Crabs?

-They quickly established a relationship

-Just hanging out

The most interesting part is that I placed one on my Hawkins Echinata colony, the other on my Cali Tort and the last one in my Suharsonoi colony. I went back in the room shortly after to check on them and they were all in my Hawkins suddenly...

Does anybody know if it's common for Acro Crabs to reside together on a single colony?

2 Trapezia Guttata
1 Trapezia Septata

Salty1962 · Mar 11, 2016

They will eventually settle into their own colonies. I have 4-5 in mine and they jump from colony to colony depending on the health of the colony.

Biggles · Mar 11, 2016

I love the commensal crabs and have a great many in my display, they are fascinating to watch. Those look like awesome little guys, they will settle where they want to over time

Great pics btw.

Mr. Microscope · Mar 11, 2016

Salty1962 said:
They will eventually settle into their own colonies. I have 4-5 in mine and they jump from colony to colony depending on the health of the colony.

So, do they only stay in healthier colonies or do the go to ones of lesser health?
Also, what is the long term situation for these guys? Do you feed them?

Salty1962 · Mar 11, 2016

Mr. Microscope said:
So, do they only stay in healthier colonies or do the go to ones of lesser health?
Also, what is the long term situation for these guys? Do you feed them?

They eat the mucus coating given off by acros. They typically stay with larger colonies, the more the better. They can damage smaller colonies that are not able to recover from them picking on the corals. Typically small enough to not damage a healthy colony. I have one in a large stylo that is 1" across the body. He really lets the fish know to stay away from his gravy train

Wilsoni · Mar 11, 2016

KJ said:
2 Trapezia Guttata
1 Trapezia Septata

Thank for the ID

Wilsoni · Mar 11, 2016

The smallest crab stayed in my Hawkins colony and the Trapezia Septata naturally found his way to my Stylo. As for the third, he's perched on my SOTR Mille, preventing PE.

Will the Mille regain PE after it's accustomed to it?