Emerald Crab

[mbixler1537]

Anyone had any issues with emerald crabs. I was gonna add one right after my cycle finished.

 

[piranhaman00]

All crabs are opportunistic, they can potentially eat coral, really hit or miss it seems for most people.

 

[Uncle99]

100% agree, most will cause grief in some way at some time.

I don’t keep any crabs at all

I do keep an array of snails

 

[TurboSnail72]

I’ve definitely caught them pulling food out of coral polyps before so I don’t like them personally. If I had a specific issue like bubble algae I might consider one, but I really feel safer with snails and small hermit crabs

 

[Rudzbrewski]

When I initially set up my 10 gallon I thought I had a menace of an emerald crab. Turns out he was not the culprit after an extensive investigation and has not caused any issues to any of my corals. I have seen it picking algae and detritus from around the frags, but not actually damaging any polyps or anything. I added a new frag that potentially had some bubble algae remnants yesterday and he was all over it. Hoping he is just taking care of the bubble algae. I will let you know if I discover otherwise.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Go with porcelain crabs instead!

 

[mbixler1537]

Man, I was hoping to get more positive feedback on these guys. I had a tank about 6 years ago and had an emerald crab. However, I didn't have any coral so he was never an issue. I'm on the fence but I'm leaning towards adding one and seeing what it does. Thanks everyone for the feedback.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I dont trust them one bit and in time they will eat zoa corals and go on to the next one. I trust the females over males if you must get one.
As I often express: I trust a politician more than I trust an emerald crab

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

I have 3 in my 90 gallon SPS dominant tank and I haven't had any problems !

 

[mbixler1537]

Go with porcelain crabs instead!

Any issues with porcelain crabs? Do they mess with corals? They look pretty cool.

 

[najer]

I love them and always have them but don't put it in for a few months, let your tank get some algae for it to eat.

edit mithrax.

 

[Bryknicks]

I have four of them between two tanks and have not had a problem as of yet. I make sure to keep them well fed with algae and meaty food scraps from the fish.

 

[Palegic]

I planned on getting a couple for my new RSR250. The rock I am bringing over has some bubble algae issues and I definitely want to keep in under control up front. However the plan is to have a pretty large zoa garden in one part of the tank so Im leaning away from it as I hear mixed things.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Any issues with porcelain crabs? Do they mess with corals? They look pretty cool.

No issues. There are porcelain crabs and porcelain anemone crabs and both are very reef safe and fun to watch. Imo these are the only truly reef safe crabs (although technically they aren't considered crabs)

 

[Terry Brown]

I bought 2 Emerald Crabs for bubble algae. Never again! They will eat on any type of soft coral or LPS. I keep my tank very well feed. They destroyed my Hammer, some mushrooms, and my Duncan.

 

[Fishko]

Really like porcelain crabs. Albeit you'll only see him at night

 

[X-37B]

I just pulled 2 out of my 120. I have about 5 to go.
This is what they did to an acro before I realized what was going on.
If you zoom in you can see polyps missing and the color is gone from green to brown.
This happened in a couple of weeks.
First I thought the coral was dying but just saw 2 of then in the coral and picking at it.
All parameters and other corals are growing and doing well.
All crabs are comming out as soo as I can catch them.

 

[Jeeperz]

Mine never bothered anything. The only problem is they only live a few months at most in my tanks.

 

[mikee002]

I’ve had similar experiences... do you equate this to starving and not having the correct food source?

Mine never bothered anything. The only problem is they only live a few months at most in my tanks.

 

[Jeeperz]

If it's due to starving, none have had an appetite for gha. They all turn light color then croak.