My crabs hate me

[Paul B]

I have a love/hate relationship with hermit crabs. I wish they could not detect food so well. There are maybe 6 or 8 of them in my tank but two of them are over 10 years old and they are big and tough.
When I feed the corals (which I do while I am waiting for a phone call) the crabs of course smell the food and race to the meal. They have lousy table manners and just pounce on the coral without even wiping their feet and pry the thing open to get the food.
It is a constant battle for me to physically pick up the crabs and throw them to the far end of the tank. Then of course they make another Bee line back to the coral. I have tried posting signs and using harsh language on them to no avail. Now I am thinking of an electric fence.
This giant cup coral is enjoying some fresh worms.

This smaller guy is also having lunch but the gobi is not much of a deterant.

 

[Paul B]

Here he is in his fighting posture

And here he is with his little tramp girlfriend in the back. They spawn a lot right in the open with the lights on.

 

[Paul B]

it is annoying and these crabs are over 10 years old so this has been going on since they were babies. I guess I didn't bring them up correctly.

This urchin is the same problem. This is an old picture and he not only steals food from the corals, he steals the entire coral and brings them to the back of the tank where I can't find them.

I swear he is gesturing at me in a not so nice manner but I can't figure out which spine he is using to do it.
This urchin is much larger now and can probably take me in an even fight.

 

[Hawkeye]

I swear he is gesturing at me in a not so nice manner but I can't figure out which spine he is using to do it.

LMAO!

 

[whitebear1020]

I used to have the same problem with my cleaner shrimp and BTA. Every time I give her silversides, he would go inside of her and take every peace out. It doesn't matter how many fishes I fed to BTA. He wouldn't stop until he took every peace out. I used to guard her for hours. Didn't help. He also realized that this is an excellent spot to get fish, so he would always be near BTA waiting for food. Smart little bugger.
So I decided to feed him first at a opposite side of the tank. He gets his fish and it occupies him for a while, then he is not interested in BTA. ;D

 

[Paul B]

I have a large TV and lately I have to tune in to the "Living Seas" specials to keep them occupied.
It's now just a problem during the commercials.

 

[hurtback]

I have tried posting signs and using harsh language on them to no avail. Now I am thinking of an electric fence.

did ya ever think of being ' nice ' to them??
would'nt you feel like getting back at the person who's throwing you around the tank?
(lol)
will surely be interesting to see how the electric fence works out!! ;D

 

[youpey]

will surely be interesting to see how the electric fence works out!! ;D

me 2. last time i used foul language at my crabs they came back with a gesture of their own

 

[daveh285]

Hey Paul they look big enough to put a dog collar and chain on, do you have to license them? ;D

 

[Paul B]

One of them chased me once but his antenna would not fit through the door.

 

[mnat]

Have you tried little plastic army guys? Setup a perimeter with some barbed wire and let them guard the corals. I tried a timeout corner with a little stool and dunce cap, but he simply ate the dunce cap.

 

[Paul B]

I have to look for my old Army guys.

Just look at him, he is all over her like a cheap suit.
Thats because she walks around with that short shell on.
You can see too much leg, she is just too much for that guy little tease that she is.

 

[GregW]

I have to look for my old Army guys.

Just look at him, he is all over her like a cheap suit.
Thats because she walks around with that short shell on.
You can see too much leg, she is just too much for that guy little tease that she is.

hmmm. Promoting illegal hermit crab fighting, Paul? I hope you sleep well tonight.

 

[Paul B]

Let me see, I think I have everything. I wonder if I can carry one more coral