Mithrax crab cleaning between polyps...?

[russclark27]

At least I hope that's what he's doing. Any concerns? Thanks!

 

[Spare time]

I think its fine. He clearly isn't grabbing the polyps so he is probably digging underneath for crud

 

[hllb]

If you’re concerned give him a sinking algae wafer every now and then. My crabs go nuts for them

 

[russclark27]

They're opening back up as he passes. Looks like he's just gardening. Part of a cleanup crew refresh from last night...glad I don't need to banish him.

 

[plexx]

Caught mine tearing up some of my zoas yesterday , now he's in the sump . Be careful with emerald crabs. I have read and seen video's of them eating zoas. Besides he never touched the bubble algae.

 

[russclark27]

Caught mine tearing up some of my zoas yesterday , now he's in the sump . Be careful with emerald crabs. I have read and seen video's of them eating zoas. Besides he never touched the bubble algae.

Was he actually harming the polyps or just cleaning down between them? I thought I had a problem at first but every single zoa on that rock is open again this morning looking better than ever.

 

[plexx]

I thought he was just cleaning between them as well, so I got my magnifying glasses and got a good look at what he was really doing. He was tearing the zoas stalks and ripping them off the rocks. There was no mistake about it. Just keep an eye on yours, and if you see your zoas looking bad or torn up then you will know.