Does anyone use emerald crabs to controle bubble algae.

[bigsby]

I have usually had pretty good success with emeralds. The bigger the tank the more you need though. They have a tough time finding it sometimes.

 

[FL_Reefer]

If you look on their underside, the females will have lines that run strait from side to side. The males will have more of a V shape in their lines. Easiest way to tell the difference.

 

[Tx Medic]

well when I upsize to my 55 I will try and snag me a female or 2 just to be on the safe side.

 

[jsanchez]

I bought an Emerald because I thought they were such pretty crabs. 2 days later I saw him reach out and grab my sleeping 2 inch foxface and take a chunk if his tail off. Needless to say my anemone had a good fresh meal that day.

 

[schooncw]

I currently have a 60 gal reef. An Emerald crab has always been an integral component for me.

 

[reefwiser]

The problem with this tactic is that if a crab breaks open the bubble when eating the outside shell as they do. The spores in side the bubble algae are released. Best to remove the rock effected and manually remove and sterilize the rock before introducing it back into your tank.

 

[reggaedrummin]

I just carefully pluck the bubble algae from the rock and manually remove it. Try not to pop the bubble as you do, ignoring the small and difficult to reach pieces. The crabs will get those, or you can wait until they've grown a little more, then get them. I wouldn't remove rock unless it's gotten to plague conditions. Even then, careful plucking on a routine basis and an emerald or two has always worked for me.

 

[Bernie21]

ok so I have one emerald crab and he has eaten all the larger bubble algae but he wont touch the small stuff. I am about to upgrade to a 55 do I have any other options in a slightly larger tank.

you can try a small fox face, they're great on bubble algae, just know that one day it'll have to go cuz its too big for a 55g. but you can house a small one in a 55g for some time, long enough for it to clean up the bubble algae.

 

[KaneH]

I have a ruby and love him/her. I naught him to clean up a few frags I had gotten. He/she eats a ton of bubble, hair, and other algae. I'm not afraid to put any algae in my tank now.