Critters / crabs needed

mucky1957 · Nov 1, 2024

I have some green hair algae in the tank. I have been using phyto to get rid of it and it has removed at least 85% of it but the rest is stubbonly hanging on.
I need to buy some critters that will 100% definately completely decimate the GHA and not touch my softies.
What would be best to buy.

I'm in the UK. Not sure if what you buy in the US would be available here.
Thanks.

Reef Wizard · Nov 2, 2024

mucky1957 said:
I have some green hair algae in the tank. I have been using phyto to get rid of it and it has removed at least 85% of it but the rest is stubbonly hanging on.
I need to buy some critters that will 100% definately completely decimate the GHA and not touch my softies.
What would be best to buy.

I'm in the UK. Not sure if what you buy in the US would be available here.
Thanks.

crabs eat it well but 100% sure not to touch softies maybe turbo and astrae snails

PotatoPig · Nov 2, 2024

Note that GHA is a collection of dozens, if not hundreds, of species that share common appearance, similarly for Turf Algae.

A diverse crew of crabs (emerald, hermit), snails, conches, etc are your best bet, but it’s also possible you have a species that’s not readily consumed by common CUC or herbivorous fish.

BristleWormHater · Nov 2, 2024

Pitho crabs are a good option, I'll be picking one up soon, but I haven't kept one yet. It seems like they are much less likely to touch coral compared to emerald crabs.

JTP424 · Nov 2, 2024

BristleWormHater said:
Pitho crabs are a good option, I'll be picking one up soon, but I haven't kept one yet. It seems like they are much less likely to touch coral compared to emerald crabs.

Agreed on the pitho crabs! A little different looking but hard workers

Chris Spaulding · Nov 2, 2024

BristleWormHater said:
Pitho crabs are a good option, I'll be picking one up soon, but I haven't kept one yet. It seems like they are much less likely to touch coral compared to emerald crabs.

I second this I have 2 in my150 and they take on everything that my tangs can not get. Bryopsis Hair, Turf,and Bubble algae. One male one female. They are twice the size of emeralds and not very colorful. The Females have large claws and the males have very small claws. Female main body is about the size of silver dollar male about a little larger than a quarter. I see mine regularly at night but damm if I can find them during the day.