I have just spotted a small (could be a baby) crab eating my soft corals, it has a bright white body with a very prominant brown patten. What is it and should it be removed. A picture will follow next time I see it.
Crab eating my corals
- Thread starter stoneage
- Start date
If you haven't done so already, I'd try to isolate it in a plastic container with some holes - this way it can stay in the tank without harming your corals until you can ID it and possibly trade it in to your LFS/give it away if it's a crab that would work in another type of tank like a FOWLR.
mogurnda said:
True, but I would like to know what it is, out of sheer curiosity. Also I dont fancy catching it. The critter moves like lightning when it spots me.
Yeah, I'd love to see a photo. You might try baiting a glass jar, tilted so it can get in but not out.
Not sure if you can catch a crab like this, but this apparantly works for mantis shrimp:
Take a plastic water bottle, cut the top 1/4 or so off so you're left with a bell-shaped piece (neck and shoulder of the bottle) and the straight bottom portion.
Invert the smaller piece so it's in the shape of a funnel going into the body of the bottle.
Bait it.
Put it in a place where you've seen the animal eating.
Wait patiently...
The critter will go in, but probably won't be able to get back out.
Take a plastic water bottle, cut the top 1/4 or so off so you're left with a bell-shaped piece (neck and shoulder of the bottle) and the straight bottom portion.
Invert the smaller piece so it's in the shape of a funnel going into the body of the bottle.
Bait it.
Put it in a place where you've seen the animal eating.
Wait patiently...
The critter will go in, but probably won't be able to get back out.
Bad Crabs
Most Crabs,,,eat Coral,,look At The Pinchers, Curved Or, Straight Like Scissors? Straight Seem To Be A Tad Safer,,a Trap For Mantis Shrimp,,baited And Put In At Lights Out Might Catch Him. Look For Id Pic At Wetwebmedia.com....good Luck. P.s Only Crabs I Trust Are A Few Species Of Hermits.......
Most Crabs,,,eat Coral,,look At The Pinchers, Curved Or, Straight Like Scissors? Straight Seem To Be A Tad Safer,,a Trap For Mantis Shrimp,,baited And Put In At Lights Out Might Catch Him. Look For Id Pic At Wetwebmedia.com....good Luck. P.s Only Crabs I Trust Are A Few Species Of Hermits.......
Gotcha
Caught the swine by hand, it was so busy demolishing my mushroom anemone's that I took it by surprise. I cant get a good picture but I will describe it.
Size 1.5 cms across, 1 cm front to back. Colour predominantly white, the carapace is distinctly marked with a brown pattern. A brown hour glass to the front near the eyes with a smaller hour glass shape with thin whorls coming off each side near the rear. The claws are totally white with brown pincers. The legs are banded brown and white, the brown on top and the white marking the joints and the underside of the legs.
Unfortunately as I sit here starring at my foe. I think he has met his maker. I am unable to get to an LFS and I am going on Holiday on Friday.
Caught the swine by hand, it was so busy demolishing my mushroom anemone's that I took it by surprise. I cant get a good picture but I will describe it.
Size 1.5 cms across, 1 cm front to back. Colour predominantly white, the carapace is distinctly marked with a brown pattern. A brown hour glass to the front near the eyes with a smaller hour glass shape with thin whorls coming off each side near the rear. The claws are totally white with brown pincers. The legs are banded brown and white, the brown on top and the white marking the joints and the underside of the legs.
Unfortunately as I sit here starring at my foe. I think he has met his maker. I am unable to get to an LFS and I am going on Holiday on Friday.
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