no crabs on my reef

[inletfish]

Is anybody else carb less?

Do you think they are essential?

Lets hear your views

 

[WindeyD]

I have some hermits and a pair of emeralds in my reef, haven't had any negative issues with them but they are certainly not essential; many have had crabs become pests.

 

[jdl513]

In my opinion crabs are not necessary for a healthy display.
The only ones I would consider are blue leg hermit and scarlet.
With the exception of acro crabs I have not seen one hitchhiker that is "safe".

The best CUC invert I have come across are the Hawaiian Strombus snails.
They stay small, have pretty cool shells and once established can reproduce in the display.

 

[DaveMorris]

I wouldn't say they are essential at all. I do however believe in as much diversity as I can get in my tank. This would include crabs for me. I think they do a pretty good job of clean up just like many of the snails and other small critters.

 

[inletfish]

I lied I forgot I do have two emerald crabs I dont even know if they are still kicking lol.

I love trochus snails cool striped shells and have always been exceptional cleaners for me

 

[Big Larr]

I hate when my blue leg hermits mow all over my corals and cause them to close up

 

[Big Larr]

Been thinking about going crab less myself

 

[inletfish]

Exactly my problem big larr I hate seeing my corals closed for no reason esp since during week day I only briefly see my tank in full light

 

[inletfish]

I haven't noticed any difference I did stock up on a ton of snails at the same time though esp nassarius

 

[KorD]

the only think I have that resembles a crab in my tank is an electric blue hermit crab, and a conch.. They never climb off the substrate and are the best little critters besides my fish in the tank.

 

[Big Larr]

Yeah I want to get some nassarius snails to replace the blue hermits because the nassarius will eat the left over food as well

 

[Big Larr]

Back to start of post I am also skimmer less

 

[inletfish]

Love my fighting c onchs interesting characters. Also sea hare was fantastic but cleaned my tank so well I had to pass him off. Nerite snails do wonders around the top rim the creep area but check the floor from time to time. Nauseous for sand trochus for rocks. Turbo for glass stays pretty clean

 

[Big Larr]

Awesome I have a couple turbo and a tiger conch

 

[Waters]

I have an Emerald, Anemone Crab, and a bunch of small red legged hermits. While they probably aren't necessary, they do help to keep the place clean and tidy I haven't had any issues with any of them.

 

[3dees]

I have no crabs. only snails. hermits wouldn't last long with my Melanurus wrasse and flame hawkfish.

 

[ptreef]

i like to have some. In the whole mix of the cost of a reef tank, crabs & inverts are a small price to pay for clean reef. even if some go and eat a snail or two.
The life span seems short in general anyway. So I like some crabs!

 

[Big Larr]

I have a hoevens wrasse and crabs still there

 

[1fstnsx]

No more crabs for me. Emerald crabs that is. He started eating my acan and its tentacles. I excommunicated him to my sump with some of my turbo snails. Just my experience..lol

 

[scardall]

I have blue legs. For me they pick at algae that I don't notice. Before it becomes an issue, at least that's the appearence. Now they can be a nuiscense and bother some corals.It is fun to watch them fight. I also keep aster snails too. They play a duel role. Home for blue legs and algae eaters while alive.

I also prefer to have nature do the clean up too.:wink: