Two questions

[Agiron86]

1. I bought an emerald crab, it started out being green in color. I’ve had it for about a month now and his color has changed. Is that typical? If not, why would it change colors?

2. My tank has been up for almost two months, I recently noticed so browning if the sand. After a bit of research I believe it is diatom algae. Is it usual for it to start this far into the set up? What can I do to get rid of it? Should I just let it run it’s corse?

 

[Crabs McJones]

1. I bought an emerald crab, it started out being green in color. I’ve had it for about a month now and his color has changed. Is that typical? If not, why would it change colors?

2. My tank has been up for almost two months, I recently noticed so browning if the sand. After a bit of research I believe it is diatom algae. Is it usual for it to start this far into the set up? What can I do to get rid of it? Should I just let it run it’s corse?

If the crab is changing colors it may molt soon. The sand browning is common in new tanks. Two months I would still consider a new tank and let it run its course but keep up on your water changes. Are you using RO/DI water?

 

[Agiron86]

If the crab is changing colors it may molt soon. The sand browning is common in new tanks. Two months I would still consider a new tank and let it run its course but keep up on your water changes. Are you using RO/DI water?

I am using ro, planning on getting the di canisters soon.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I am using ro, planning on getting the di canisters soon.

Depended on your source water, you may have some tds creeping through thats causing your diatomes. But it'll pass

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Emerald crabs will change color around the time they need to molt or they're just brownish tan for some reason. Some of my best crabs have been tan emerald crabs

Diatoms are normal for a young tank, just maintain good, consistent water quality and keep your sand well stirred often and they should work themselves out of the picture

 

[ReefJake123]

1 the crab is molting my does the same thing 2 it’s very normal my tanks did it but be careful if it doesn’t stop get a diamond back goby to sift the sand

 

[Agiron86]

1 the crab is molting my does the same thing 2 it’s very normal my tanks did it but be careful if it doesn’t stop get a diamond back goby to sift the sand

Thank you, I have a grey goby with blue dots. It just stay behind the rocks and doesn’t sift much...

 

[mjlash22]

Thank you, I have a grey goby with blue dots. It just stay behind the rocks and doesn’t sift much...

I have found diamond watchmen gobies to be the best for sand sifting. Unfortunately, if you don't have a lid, they are jumpers. As others have already mentioned...emerald crab is most likely getting ready to molt and the brown should be normal part of the tank cycle. Diatoms will hit at different times in different tank set ups. everything seems normal!

 

[ReefJake123]

Exactly yet as long as your tank is big enough then he diamond watchmen gonna by should be fine and won’t jump out I have a 55 gal with one watchmen and he is amazing at sifting but make sure you do not place corals in the sand bc he will bury them in sand and kill them not purposely but he is just doing his job

 

[Agiron86]

Exactly yet as long as your tank is big enough then he diamond watchmen gonna by should be fine and won’t jump out I have a 55 gal with one watchmen and he is amazing at sifting but make sure you do not place corals in the sand bc he will bury them in sand and kill them not purposely but he is just doing his job

Like I said I have a goby already, if I got this diamond watchman goby would they fight?

This is the one I have.

 

[ReefJake123]

That’s a blue spotted goby right

 

[ReefJake123]

I’m not sure search it

 

[Agiron86]

That’s a blue spotted goby right

Not sure what it is, I went to my lfs and liked the way it look and said “I’ll take that one”...

 

[thaitopher]

Gobies are verry bad for smaller tanks. They deplete the live sand. Only get a goby if you have a large tank.

 

[ReefJake123]

What is he size of this tank

 

[Agiron86]

What is he size of this tank

25 gallon

 

[ReefJake123]

Nvm you couldn’t put them together

 

[ReefJake123]

You could simply sift the sand also with you hand carefully

 

[madweazl]

Like I said I have a goby already, if I got this diamond watchman goby would they fight?

This is the one I have.

This isn't a sand sifting goby and typically, no, they wont fight with ones that are such as the diamond goby that was mentioned earlier. Despite the previous comment about "depleting the live sand," they can survive just fine if fed properly. With that said, they can get fairly large (six inches) as well.

 

[John3]

I had a very large green crab turn white and stay that way for about 8 months. I thought he might molt but he never did. Then one morning there he was dead for no apparent reason. Some things in this hobby will always leave you wondering.