Decorator Crabs

[SD Actuary]

I have heard that when in doubt, never trust a crab in a reef tank.

Has anyone had any issues or success stories with Decorator Crabs within reef tanks?

 

[Wy Renegade]

Huge mistake! The decorater will pull apart sponges and corals to decorate itself with in order to blend in. Not a good idea if you wish to keep you corals intack. Great for a species specific tank, not good for a reef tank.

 

[Viva'sReef]

They will steal your polyps and decorate themselves with them.....other than that, they are reef safe

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I have read these guys can cause problems since they like to camoflauge themselves with pieces of coral. Probably better not to test it out. This place and others say not reef safe.
Decorator Crab

 

[Tabasco1]

Not reef safe for above mentioned reasons. However, very cool little critters!

 

[SD Actuary]

I was hoping that it would carefully pick up my Bowser Paly and decorate itself with it and be content, guess thats just a weird reef-fantasy. Thanks for the input.