Bait for crabs

[Reef Jedi]

I recently found a gorilla crab from a Tampa bay Rock order I placed about 8 months ago. I thought I got all the crabs out but apparently there’s still one in there.

What type of bait do you use that doesn’t float away and stays in the trap?

In the past I tried to catch them with a piece of krill glued to a very small rock in the back of the trap, however it seems this one hasn’t taken the bait. But neither has the Florida green mantis that I can’t catch either. So I was hoping for suggestions on something more enticing to either the gorilla crab or mantis.

At this point I’m more concerned with getting the gorilla crab out. The little Florida green mantis really doesn’t bother anything except creating its own sand piles.

 

[JoJosReef]

What have you been using to trap them until now? Krill always worked for me, but you sometimes have to set several traps at once for them to take it in a place they like. I put glass bottles at multiple locations at various angles against the rocks.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I’m currently trying krill again and just no luck after 5 days of trying. I’ve been placing it at night when they are more active in hopes it finds it. But no luck so far.

 

[Reef Jedi]

Any other ideas out there?

Thank you

 

[JGT]

I used the shot glass with a piece off frozen shrimp trap - only my shot glass was a stemless wine glass since the crab was big.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I’ve got about 6-7 gorillas still and a green mantis too! I’ll never catch the mantis. I lost my chance when it would visit my overflow. I had the best luck with a skewer that you make kabobs with. I’m going to do another hunt soon. But I like the trap idea. You glue krill? Interesting.

 

[painter1982]

I use a chunk of thawed shrimp. The kind I feed to by anemones. It stays at the bottom of my glass as long as my peppermint shrimp doesn’t try to take it. I’ve rubber banded it to a rock in the glass too. I got my gorillas from TBS rock. They have been quite a chore to catch.

 

[Paul B]

A piece of clam is best. It is also the smelliest thing and fish and crabs love it. Shrimp don't smell enough.

 

[saltyHG]

A piece of clam is best. It is also the smelliest thing and fish and crabs love it. Shrimp don't smell enough.

how long does clam have to be in the tank to "get smelly"? Ive tried frozen clam-on-half-shell and not had good success

 

[Reef Jedi]

how long does clam have to be in the tank to "get smelly"? Ive tried frozen clam-on-half-shell and not had good success

I found some fresh clams at the local king supers and that worked well. Went to the seafood section and picked up 4 of them. That worked on the 1st night of trying. I also didn’t have good luck with frozen clams. I think they are washed too much and it takes the scent out. The fresh clams worked well!

 

[saltyHG]

I found some fresh clams at the local king supers and that worked well. Went to the seafood section and picked up 4 of them. That worked on the 1st night of trying. I also didn’t have good luck with frozen clams. I think they are washed too much and it takes the scent out. The fresh clams worked well!

thank you, will try this

 

[Paul B]

how long does clam have to be in the tank to "get smelly"? Ive tried frozen clam-on-half-shell and not had good success

An hour or so. Everything loves clams including myself.