i have an algae problem.
- Thread starter caseykell21
- Start date
caseykell21 : According to Dr. Ronald Shimek's book Marine Invertebrates the Mithrax sculptus, or Emerald crab is herbivorous, seldom preying on sesile animals. It does this if it runs out of the adherent fleshy green algae (including bubble algae) it prefers to eat. It is from the Caribbean, grows to a maximum of 2" across the leg span, and is suited to tanks from 10 gallons up. It requires normal aquarium conditions, some rock and algae. Sounds like an ideal animal to me!
Here is what Foster & Smith have on their website:
"Emerald Mithrax Crab
(Mithrax sculptus)
Click here for a larger image
Quick Stats
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 2½"
Color Form: Green
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Majidae
The hardy Emerald Mithrax Crab, also known as Emerald Crab or Emerald Mythrax Crab, has a shiny green, flat, compact body and hairy legs.
It requires a mature aquarium with plenty of rock work and hiding places. The Emerald Mithrax Crab eats algae and various types of meaty items it can scavenge. It can be harmful to small fish, but unlike many other animals, it will eat bubble algae and is useful for cleaning tanks of this potential problem. They are an opportunistic feeder, and if food is not available to them, they may turn to supplementing their diet with corals or invertebrates.
If there is insufficient algae, their diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed, chopped meaty items or a quality pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2" to 1-1/2" "
Here is what Foster & Smith have on their website:
"Emerald Mithrax Crab
(Mithrax sculptus)
Click here for a larger image
Quick Stats
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 2½"
Color Form: Green
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Majidae
The hardy Emerald Mithrax Crab, also known as Emerald Crab or Emerald Mythrax Crab, has a shiny green, flat, compact body and hairy legs.
It requires a mature aquarium with plenty of rock work and hiding places. The Emerald Mithrax Crab eats algae and various types of meaty items it can scavenge. It can be harmful to small fish, but unlike many other animals, it will eat bubble algae and is useful for cleaning tanks of this potential problem. They are an opportunistic feeder, and if food is not available to them, they may turn to supplementing their diet with corals or invertebrates.
If there is insufficient algae, their diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed, chopped meaty items or a quality pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2" to 1-1/2" "
Last edited:
thanks
I have been considering getting one turns out it is not bubble algae it is either hair or some other type i thought it was bubble because air bubble were caught in the algae on the rocks
I have been considering getting one turns out it is not bubble algae it is either hair or some other type i thought it was bubble because air bubble were caught in the algae on the rocks
An emerald crab will be a hit or a miss with the bubble algae. Some people say that their emerald crab totally wiped out the bubble algae in their tank and other people say that they dont touch it. Just something to think about before you go buy one.
Another thing is I wouldnt add coral right away especially if you are having trouble with your tank paremeters and have breakouts of algae. Corals need pretty stable water conditions and the algae could overrun them too. Once you have your algae controlled and your tank is running with no problems, then you could start adding a few corals at a time. If those corals do well then you can add some more.
Another thing is I wouldnt add coral right away especially if you are having trouble with your tank paremeters and have breakouts of algae. Corals need pretty stable water conditions and the algae could overrun them too. Once you have your algae controlled and your tank is running with no problems, then you could start adding a few corals at a time. If those corals do well then you can add some more.
Emerald crab experiment
I have heard that same opinion before, Andy. Since I have bubble algae and want a new crab anyway, I am going to start a thread documenting my results. I read your post as I wait for the crab I just bought to acclimate to my water, so the timing is perfect! I already took photos of the algae and the crab to post in my new thread, later today.
Andy16 said:
I have heard that same opinion before, Andy. Since I have bubble algae and want a new crab anyway, I am going to start a thread documenting my results. I read your post as I wait for the crab I just bought to acclimate to my water, so the timing is perfect! I already took photos of the algae and the crab to post in my new thread, later today.
i like algae, not all kinds though. as soon as i got rid of my dark green algae that looked like carpets. i can get rid of all of my algae but my yellow tang loves it and my lownmower looks fat on it. also my emerald crabs have lots of food, they eat all day and when they don't eat they sleep, and that's the way i like them. the problem is that i got my cleaning guys but then i noticed that my phosphorate remover was doing too good of a job,(it cleared algae that was covering everything like covers in two days, non was left) so i got scared that my lawnmower blenny would starve and i let algae grow. actualy yellow tang together with blenny eat all hair algae, so i'm trying to figure how i grow more of that. the algae i mean is the one that looks like thick grass. i wonder what is the use in purple algae. i have corals too, but they are nowhere near my algae. i can say that i saw those algae free tanks, but their lownmowers are not fat like mine. 
