Emerald Crab AKA demon crab

[jgraz]

I have a new found hatred for these f'n things. I have 2 in my 44 corner that i hardly see. When I do they are hard at work on the algea. So I picked up one for my nano. Came home today and found him mounted atop my ORA Birdsnest and half of the poylps, GONE. Needless to say he is also gone. Will new poiyps form on the stripped branches?

 

[lefkonj]

Wow I have a one that is pretty decently sized doesn't bother my polyps or anything in my tank Such a shame.

 

[jgraz]

Yeah, the two in my other tank are model citizens. An hour later and the bird has half polyps extended. Some branches are bare, nothing.

 

[The Wrong Reefer]

I know its a stupid question, are you sure the polyps are gone? or just retracted? I've seen mine scrape at the birdsnest too. But the polyps retract, then come back later. At least ya know now your emerald obviously isn't the only one who's got an interest in coral.

 

[TanksNStuff]

He could be right. It's possible the crab was just eating some algae that may have formed on the birdsnest, and the polyps retracted while he was disturbing those branches.

Check back in a day or so to see if they come back. If so, you tossed a perfectly good emerald.

 

[onefish2fish]

i dont like any crabs in my tanks, maybe with the exception of them being in my refugium. this also includes hermits as they love to rip snails from their shell only to find they didnt like that shell. i personally like a large mixture of different snails.

 

[jgraz]

They are indeed gone. I checked again ths morning. No polyps. A few of the branches have large areas missing. Im actually gonna try another one cause I do indeed like them, but I'll just wait a few weeks before I add another.

 

[jgraz]

If so, you tossed a perfectly good emerald.

George, i just noticed this. I did not actually throw him out. He's going back to the LFS. He is sitting in my fuge ATM.