Yet another gorilla crab question...

[Back where it all began]

Hi,
My tank is 10 weeks old and doing well. As I mentioned in another post, I have seen 3 of these crabs that I never saw before or any evidence of them. I realize that they hide quite well.
Question is: do these things reproduce in our tanks?

 

[Ron Reefman]

It's possible, but to be honest, I've never read about anybody having crabs reproduce in their tank. But that's not to say it can't happen.

 

[ScottR]

I’ve had 2. This was awhile back. I took the rock out and cooked it. No fish or shrimp deaths in 5 months. They hide well in the rocks. Traps never helped. I don’t think they reproduce that much to be honest.

***read about rock boiling beforehand. You don’t want to actually boil rock. Dangerous fumes can harm you.***

 

[Katrina71]

They hide very well! My rock came from another reefer's tank that had nothing new added for 3 years...I had it several months, there was a gorilla crab that tried to murder a plate coral. Neither of us saw it!

 

[jaxredsoxfan]

I would try a trap first just to see if I got lucky, but next would be to remove rock and get it out. Try the trap at night. Good luck and hope you can snag them easily.

 

[ScottR]

They hide very well! My rock came from another reefer's tank that had nothing new added for 3 years...I had it several months, there was a gorilla crab that tried to murder a plate coral. Neither of us saw it!

I, too had many unexplained deaths. Then I had a fish laying on the floor, rooms away from my fish room. It had a vertical cut on its body and I knew... gorilla crab. Saw it’s little feet sticking out of a rock. Put tweezers in and grabbed a claw. No way I was getting it. Rock removal was the only way.

 

[ScottR]

I would try a trap first just to see if I got lucky, but next would be to remove rock and get it out. Try the trap at night. Good luck and hope you can snag them easily.

I second this approach. A trap is worth a try. May take many tries. And make sure to remove food each morning so it doesn’t rot and replace.

 

[Katrina71]

+1 on rock removal. Suspend the rock over a container of salt water for a while. He'll come out. Btw...they are awesome in a sump.

 

[Katrina71]

You may learn new adult words while trying to catch or trap your fuzzy friend.

 

[ScottR]

You may learn new adult words while trying to catch or trap your fuzzy friend.

Hahahaha, kind words I suppose ;Muted

 

[Katrina71]

After spending so much time trying to kill him, after I got him out...he was so beautiful I just couldn't. I actually found him a home with a friend.

 

[Katrina71]

 

[dwest]

Hi,
My tank is 10 weeks old and doing well. As I mentioned in another post, I have seen 3 of these crabs that I never saw before or any evidence of them. I realize that they hide quite well.
Question is: do these things reproduce in our tanks?

I’ve removed 5 gorillas from my current tank. I left them alone until they started messing with my sleeping wrasses. I had the most luck catching them with the tilted cup method. Like others have said, if you can remove the rock, there are easier ways.

 

[Back where it all began]

First off, I appreciate your responses. Freeing to know that they do not reproduce.
I enjoyed the other comments.
I have fashioned a harpoon out of a kabob spike. Let the games begin. Captain Ahab has nothing on me.