Naughty emerald crab?

[hopperjl16]

So I frequently stalk my creatures via flashlight late at night, and tonight I noticed my emerald crab dangling from my recently added soft tree corals (I believe that's the type). Surprisingly the coral didn't seem angry.....any other time anything bumps it it closes right up. The crab did not appear to be feeding, and so far I don't see damage. Is it possible my little crab was just exploring or more likely she's going to destroy my coral?

 

[furam28]

Mine climbs up on the SPS causing the polyps to close up. I have observed closely to make sure it doesn't pick on the coral and it doesn't. Just like to hang out. I usually shoo him off though so he doesn't make it its home. So far from my experience, emerald crabs are a great part of a good CUC.

 

[hopperjl16]

She really looked like she was just hanging out.....so I'm hoping that's the case. I don't want to have to get rid of her.

 

[furam28]

Keep in mind emeralds need algae to survive. They will eat leftover food as well, but they need the chlorophyll from algae. If your tank is low on algae the starving can make them go rogue. If that's the case, feed it algae wafers or nori strips once or twice a week.

 

[hejjo]

Mine sleeps in a birds nest every night.

 

[Triggreef]

They like to chase sps polyps but they can't really get them. I keep a huge compliment of emeralds and red mithrax crabs. They destroy a lot more algae than most even give them credit for. I have learned that not only are they great control for bubble algae, but also briopsis. I keep between 20 to 30 in my 200g and have had as many as 60 in there when I had a bubble algae explosion. I have many tanks so I was about to disperse the crowd after they completed their mission. They won't hurt anything.

Just don't confuse them with gorilla crabs. Those are bad.

 

[hopperjl16]

Keep in mind emeralds need algae to survive. They will eat leftover food as well, but they need the chlorophyll from algae. If your tank is low on algae the starving can make them go rogue. If that's the case, feed it algae wafers or nori strips once or twice a week.

I was wondering if I should feed her. When I put her and the rest of the cuc in my tank I had a lot of algae which they have cleaned up about 85% of. I bought omega one super veggie green seaweed sheets in advance in case I didn't have enough algae when my cuc arrived. I should be able to feed her that right? And how does one feed an emerald crab since they're so skittish?

 

[Triggreef]

Won't be skiddish for long. I can point anything towards mine with forceps and they attack it. Be it nori or mysis. Or just the forceps sometimes. Lol as far as nori you can just wedge it into a rock or even a feeding clip tied to a piece of fishing line that you can let sink and it will be easily removable.