Emerald crab babies!

[Joubiliah Jones]

I'm just starting my first reef tank & my emerald crab had babies! The only livestock in my tank right now is mama crab, 3 astrea snails, copepods, and the babies. I know the odds of keeping them alive aren't in my favor, but any ideas on what I can try?? Has anyone had success? They've made it 48 hours so far!

 

[macnets]

Pics!

 

[Joubiliah Jones]

So it's really hard to catch them on camera bc they are small and won't stop moving! Lol I saw mama give birth too. It was so weird & cool! I'll try to get some better shots & upload them if I can.

 

[Mike N]

Seriously, pics!
How can you tease us with a headline like that and not include pictures lol

 

[Joubiliah Jones]

Seriously, pics!
How can you tease us with a headline like that and not include pictures lol

Haha sorry! It's just really hard to get them to show up in pictures. I uploaded a couple & will see if I can get some better shots. They're so alien!

 

[Mike N]

Haha sorry! It's just really hard to get them to show up in pictures. I uploaded a couple & will see if I can get some better shots. They're so alien!

Yeah I see. Or should I say, I dont see. Thanks for reminding me to buy a macro lens lol.

 

[wkscott]

So it's really hard to catch them on camera bc they are small and won't stop moving! Lol I saw mama give birth too. It was so weird & cool! I'll try to get some better shots & upload them if I can.

Can't wait to see better pictures. Crabs lay eggs and aren't live bearers. Not sure how you witnessed the birth.

 

[Joubiliah Jones]

Can't wait to see better pictures. Crabs lay eggs and aren't live bearers. Not sure how you witnessed the birth.

So "give birth" isn't the best term lol. She opened up a flap on her belly (it pulsed a bit actually before opening) and the babies came out & started swimming. From what I've read, emerald crabs store the eggs in this pouch until they're ready to release the babies. Wish I had recorded it. It was pretty cool.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

algae tabs/pellets, and frozen foods I think. Its about all you can do.

 

[Joubiliah Jones]

Thanks! Any particular frozen food I should try? I have some mushed up algae tabs in there already. I've seen them go in and out of that, so taking it as a good sign. Tried some phyto, and they started swimming like crazy, so they either really like it or really hate it lol. We shall see what happens!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks! Any particular frozen food I should try? I have some mushed up algae tabs in there already. I've seen them go in and out of that, so taking it as a good sign. Tried some phyto, and they started swimming like crazy, so they either really like it or really hate it lol. We shall see what happens!

None specificly, I feed some meaty food the my fish. But it sounds like you may have found what they like already.

 

[JonnyTorch]

Did they make it?