Emerald crab and clean up crews

[Steve Maxwell]

Hello,

My 29G biocube had a MASSIVE outbreak of bubble algae...it got to the point where I was about to scrap everything but decided to try an emerald crab first. For a few weeks the crab didn't do much of anything (it was pretty small), but then it molted and the algae quickly disappeared

Now I've noticed that most of my snail CUC are gone. Not sure if this is because of the condition of the tank with the algae, normal die off, or if the crab is picking them off. Before I order another CUC package, I wanted to see if anybody has had problems with their emerald crab eating snails. Nothing else has been introduced to the tank and I don't have any missing fish/starfish. Also I have a bunch of coral on the sand, so trapping the crab is going to be problematic at best...plus not sure I want to get rid of it since it's done such a good job with the bubble algae.

Thanks!

 

[helen ann]

IMO ... Crabs are opportunistic feeders so I wouldn't put it past him to have eaten your snails.

 

[Reeferdood]

Don't get rid of it...
Emeralds are vegetarian so doubt they munched your snails....

 

[helen ann]

They are actually Omnivores

 

[Elementalj]

They are actually Omnivores

Yep! Mine snatches the mysis out of the acans mouth every time I feed.

 

[helen ann]

Yep! Mine snatches the mysis out of the acans mouth every time I feed.

Stingy lil' buggers!!! Gotta watch them for sure!

 

[Reeferdood]

I just heard something today about the female emerald is the one that eats valona..
So,
Male crabs are Omni and female are vegetarian?!?!
Strange thought.

 

[Elementalj]

I just heard something today about the female emerald is the one that eats valona..
So,
Male crabs are Omni and female are vegetarian?!?!
Strange thought.

I don't think that's the case. From what I can tell, I have a female. And that heifer will just about snatch your finger off when you're feeding, and she's gentile as a baby lamb when she's cleaning algae off the frag plugs. We named her Zelda, not after the game, after the psychic in poltergeist. [emoji12][emoji13]cause she's pretty far out.

 

[helen ann]

I don't think that's the case. From what I can tell, I have a female. And that heifer will just about snatch your finger off when you're feeding, and she's gentile as a baby lamb when she's cleaning algae off the frag plugs. We named her Zelda, not after the game, after the psychic in poltergeist. [emoji12][emoji13]cause she's pretty far out.

...'heifer will just about snatch your finger' LOL LOL LOL!!!!

 

[Elementalj]

...'heifer will just about snatch your finger' LOL LOL LOL!!!!

I know, right!?!?!? [emoji23][emoji12][emoji13]

 

[Reeferdood]

You guys must have Ted Nugent emeralds, they like beef!
Mine and all of the others I have ever had like algae only.. I have never seen them go after mysis or any other meaty foods..

 

[Elementalj]

You guys must have Ted Nugent emeralds, they like beef!
Mine and all of the others I have ever had like algae only.. I have never seen them go after mysis or any other meaty foods..

I'll take a quick video tomorrow when I feed. [emoji6]

 

[Elementalj]

OK, you know I couldn't wait!

 

[Reeferdood]

OK, you know I couldn't wait!

I see why, tank is spotless..
No algae for it to eat!
Ok, I stand corrected

 

[Reeferdood]

I see why, tank is spotless..
No algae for it to eat!
Ok, I stand corrected

When I looked this morning mine was munching on a chunk of garlic soaked algae, LOL..

 

[Elementalj]

When I looked this morning mine was munching on a chunk of garlic soaked algae, LOL..

Salad before dinner? Perhaps he needed the fiber! [emoji12][emoji122][emoji122]

 

[Reeferdood]

Lol...

 

[helen ann]

OK, you know I couldn't wait!

Cute but Vicious lil' thing!!!

 

[DeniseAndy]

I must admit, I have never noticed mine bothering other cuc members. Mine just snack on algae in the tanks. When I feed, they come out and grab what they can catch. But, opportunistic they are.

I have one in my sump that's body is probably 2" wide. It is a beast. Just found its claw when I was cleaning the sump of my 210g and hope it was a shed. I have had that thing forever. It is in the sump refugium to keep it clean too.

 

[Steve Maxwell]

Thanks for the responses! I typically feed pellets most of the time, but think I'll start alternating with mysis. Might also experiment with some Nori and a small chunk of raw/peeled shrimp to see if it'll go after that.