Partially Submerged Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I have corals, a bunch of snails, and a porcelain anemone crab living in a 21g. I have had some algae (fuzzy green stuff, stringy green stuff, and a few bubbles here and there). Not sure where they come from as I don't feed the tank and have good flow as well as a fuge full of chaeto. Anyways, it's not a lot but it's persistent, so I figured, I'd finally add a bit more of a CUC (I only really have 5-6 snails. I have an order of snails on the way, and I added an emerald crab yesterday, which I am already in love with. It basically landed on a rock and started eating. Since then it has been moving around pulling algae from the rocks and munching away. I realize emerald crabs are no magic bullet against algae, but I am wondering if I should add another one. I am not sure about how large their territory has to be so they find enough food and stay nice with tank mates. Does anyone have any advice for me? I am aware of the risk emerald crabs present for corals and am fine with it. Link to comment
amphipod Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 give the crab extra time to obliterate the algae, the fact you said its just persistent, not that there is a ton of it gives me the idea that the present crab will keep the algaes in check, he just needs a little more time also more of a side note, better to slightly under stock cuc vs over stock cuc in my opinion, you can be surprised how much a small cuc can actually do. Link to comment
Partially Submerged Posted September 14, 2015 Author Share Posted September 14, 2015 Yeah, that sounds like a good strategy. No reason not to give the one crab a few weeks to see how much it can do/seems to need. One more question: So far, the emerald crab and the anemone crab seem to get along well. I am planning to add 2-3 more anemone crabs. Are there any concerns? Anemone crabs are perfectly peaceful, but I am not sure about the emerald crabs. Link to comment
Neebles Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Just be careful, my emerald went right after my anemone crab. They did fine for a few weeks but now I haven't seen the anemone crab... Link to comment
Partially Submerged Posted September 14, 2015 Author Share Posted September 14, 2015 Oh! Thanks for the heads up. I'll watch them for a while first then. What size tank do you have? Link to comment
Partially Submerged Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 I am in love with this emerald crab. They're not pretty, but I really enjoy watching it climb around and pull here, poke there, constantly putting stuff into its face. <3 I just added two more anemone crabs (a small one, and the biggest one I have ever seen) and two peppermint shrimp, and so far everyone has been minding their own business. Link to comment
marshmallow Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Love emerald crabs! I just added one to my invert-only tank. It has five to six small hermits, a few snails, an emerald crab, plus three hitchhiker bivalves! Link to comment
amphipod Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I am in love with this emerald crab. They're not pretty, but I really enjoy watching it climb around and pull here, poke there, constantly putting stuff into its face. <3 I just added two more anemone crabs (a small one, and the biggest one I have ever seen) and two peppermint shrimp, and so far everyone has been minding their own business. if you see the emerald eating a crab, don't blame him immediately because the crab could have been dead before emerald found it. Link to comment
Devon93274 Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 I have 5 emerald crabs in my 50 gallon and they have been very social and non aggresive with each other. I've seen 8 in a 50 gallon as well. I would just make sure they have plenty of live rock to explore and you should be fine to add 2 or even 3 more. Also if you plan on getting a semi aggressive shrimp like a CBS. I've witnessed my emeralds with the upper hand many times. Link to comment
chrisparks11 Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 I have 3 in my 34 gallon tank and they are amazing. I picked up some live rock and a few pieces of frags that had some hair algae, bubble algae, and what not on them and within a few days the emerald crabs took care of every bit of it. I kind of wish I only had two instead of 3 because I think 2 would have been plenty for my tank. Link to comment
Partially Submerged Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 I still have just the one, but it's been great. Unlike some of the other freeloaders (looking at you, snails), it actually makes a significant difference in controlling algae on live rock. And it's funny, interesting, and doesn't bother anyone. A+. Link to comment
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