Emerald crab and clean up crews

I rarely see my emerald crabs eating bubble algae. But, I too had a significant bubble algae outbreak when i accidentally spiked my tank with TSP and raised the PO4 level to 10 PPM. I added my first 6 emerald crabs when the bubble algae covered nearly all the rock that was not taken by coral or mushrooms. While I "occasionally" found an emerald crab eating a bubble, it was typically one that was already popped, or very loosely hanging on. I think what happened is the bubble algae population exploded and then crashed. The emeralds might have been eating the very smallest of bubble algae cells as they picked "invisible to me" algae off the rock and then stuck something into their mount.

Mine do like to feed on the flake food and frozen food that drop below the fish. I've NOT had them attack my hermit crabs, gobies, or trochus snails. They've not bothered my coral. I recommend you keep 1 or 2 in the tank unless you catch them misbehaving.
 
I have two emerald crabs, if you supplement their diet with seaweed then you'll never have a problem with them, or that's at least from my experience
 

HOW MUCH DOES A FISH’S FEEDING REQUIREMENTS AFFECT YOUR STOCKING DECISIONS?

  • A lot! - I avoid fish that require frequent or specialized feeding

    Votes: 10 27.0%
  • Quite a bit, but an automatic feeder can change my answer

    Votes: 6 16.2%
  • It depends on whether my nutrient export can handle it

    Votes: 5 13.5%
  • It depends on how badly I want the fish

    Votes: 10 27.0%
  • Not much. I’m willing to adjust my routine

    Votes: 9 24.3%
  • Not at all. Feeding demands don’t limit my stocking choices

    Votes: 6 16.2%
  • I usually learn about the demanding feeding schedule after buying the fish!

    Votes: 2 5.4%
  • I haven’t really considered this before

    Votes: 3 8.1%
  • Something else (see my comments in the thread)

    Votes: 1 2.7%
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