Michael Rossi
Active Member
My green star polyps look like they’ve been eaten. I saw my emerald crab by them earlier today. Are they know to eat them?
Emerald Crabs and GSP
- Thread starter Michael Rossi
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BighohoReef
A reefer in need is a friend indeed!
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Not normally, my GSP had GHA growing on it so the EC would move onto it and pick at the GHA bits. I wouldn't worry too much about the GSP getting picked on if it is happening. It's a hearty coral and soon you find that it'll take over that rock your have it on.
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Michael Rossi
Active Member
I have the camera setup on time lapse trying to see what’s going on. Kids knocked it over though and I missed whatever took more of it. Have it going again on a tripod but so far nothing has gone near them.
Luckyduck
Well-Known Member
There is a very good possibility yes. I actually took an Emerald Crab out of my tank because I caught it eating my zoos! Usually they do not bother corals. I have kept many in the past and have not had any issues but the law of numbers got me. Eventually you will get one that has a taste for corals. Keep an eye on it, make sure it's not eating anything else. As someone else said the GSP should regenerate and keep up without a problem but if you notice it's not or you notice it picking at other corals I would say bye-bye emerald crab. Not worth it to keep it. I actually made a post about this a few weeks ago and actually posted video of my emerald crab ripping a zooantid off of the rock and chowing away.
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Michael Rossi
Active Member
Wow. That’s crazy. I can’t think of anything else that could have done it. Lights are going low now so hopefully there will be something left for me to record tomorrow. He’s going to be a pain to catch if I do need to remove him.
Luckyduck
Well-Known Member
Yea pretty wild. I was taking video of him snacking on the rocks and all of the sudden... "Woah woah woah!" lol
I was pretty lucky actually he wasn't too hard to catch. I used a pair of 15“ tweezers that I use to flip snails and grab toppled corals.
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Michael Rossi
Active Member
That's crazy. I haven't caught him in the act yet, but if they are gone tomorrow I think I may just remove him to be safe. Luckily I already ordered some 24" tweezers which should be here by the end of the week. Hopefully it can wait that long!
Luckyduck
Well-Known Member
I've had a bunch over the years. Never had an issue. I'll consider myself unlucky lol hmmm my screen name doesn't really work does it? Lol It's definitely the exception not the rule when you get a naughty one. Most won't hurt corals. Kinda sucks cuz now I'm afraid to get another one!
MightyMO
"The Algae made me do it!!!"
I agree with you... I got one that hangs out by my zoas... He doesnt seem to bother them though... And my zoas are spreading like crazy...
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Michael Rossi
Active Member
Update - GSP is gone. Was hoping to get it on camera today but there is nothing left. I did see what I thought was a bristle worm near it this morning. I’ve added some pics of it from the other day as well.
blasterman
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I've seen emeralds pull skin off SPS and eat it like a salad. I've also never seen them touch bubble algae.
Because so many of us have had a problem with the buggers pretty obvious they arent reef safe as a species.
Because so many of us have had a problem with the buggers pretty obvious they arent reef safe as a species.
Luckyduck
Well-Known Member
Yikes! That's a nasty lookin bristle worm! I'm not sure if Bristle worms will eat GSPs or not. I'm sorry it's all goneUpdate - GSP is gone. Was hoping to get it on camera today but there is nothing left. I did see what I thought was a bristle worm near it this morning. I’ve added some pics of it from the other day as well.
that sucks! I would get rid of that Emerald crab and also put a Bristle worm trap in the tank too. Wouldn't take any chances but again I'm clueless if Bristle worms will bother corals or not. I know not usually but then again Emerald crabs are supposed to be reef safe too so it is possible the Birstle did it. Who knows?!
