Emerald Crab Killing Fish

[Cannoy]

I’ve had this emerald crab for several months now and i believe he’s eaten my clown fairy wrasse and mandarin. I’ve seen it snap at fish and one day i’ll see a fish swimming around and the next day it’s gone. I’ve also watched it snip the tops off of my acros frags. I added several hermit crabs and snails which have all ended up in this crabs cave dead.

I’ve seen some people say they’ll eat fish that are about to die, but the fish this one has eaten definitely seemed healthy over the last 6 months.

 

[cdemoss01]

That's not an emerald crab..

 

[twentyleagues]

100% not an emerald crab. The black pointed claw tips are a dead giveaway that its not reef safe at all.

 

[cdemoss01]

100% not an emerald crab. The black pointed claw tips are a dead giveaway that its not reef safe at all.

Agreed. Go put it in the ocean or make a species only tank

 

[cdemoss01]

@Cannoy where did you get this.

 

[Cannoy]

@Cannoy where did you get this.

I got it from my LFS, I bought two at the time and they were both green when I got them.

 

[cdemoss01]

@Cannoy where did you get this.

I got it from my LFS, I bought two at the time and they were both green when I got them.

I find this incredible lol. It's definitely no longer an emerald crab I don't think it ever was. Let your LFS know, let me know what you do with it I think it'd make a pretty cool pet.

 

[tzabor10]

That looks like a Florida Stone Crab. I keep mine in a HOB refugium. Not safe for anything. But fascinating.

 

[bluemon]

I got it from my LFS, I bought two at the time and they were both green when I got them.

Could it be that this is not the crab you got?

I’m betting your emerald crabs are still in there or maybe dead, and this is a separate hitchhiker

 

[bluemon]

Also, to make light of the situation (no offenses to OP), but this is the Reef equivalent of saying “my cat ate my child” and posting a picture of a tiger

 

[cdemoss01]

I got it from my LFS, I bought two at the time and they were both green when I got them.

Could it be that this is not the crab you got?

I’m betting your emerald crabs are still in there or maybe dead, and this is a separate hitchhiker

This is a good point. Where did you get your rocks @Cannoy?

 

[cdemoss01]

That looks like a Florida Stone Crab. I keep mine in a HOB refugium. Not safe for anything. But fascinating.

How big is your fuge? I want a photo of the crab lol.

 

[Cannoy]

That looks like a Florida Stone Crab. I keep mine in a HOB refugium. Not safe for anything. But fascinating.

That must be what it is. I bought 5 pounds of rubble from TBS months ago. I looked all over the few small pieces of rock and saw nothing on them. The tank is small so I have no idea how it stayed hidden this whole time. The tank is a little dirty because I haven’t been able to keep a cleanup crew alive. I definitely added two emerald crabs and before I added them i didn’t see any sign of this crab in the tank. I guess it took the place of one of the emeralds without me noticing lol.

 

[MnFish1]

The question becomes, though, did the crab kill the fish. (I also agree it is not an emerald crab). However, I would also question a disease process in the tank - and the crab is merely cleaning up. Do you QT your fish?

 

[bluemon]

That must be what it is. I bought 5 pounds of rubble from TBS months ago. I looked all over the few small pieces of rock and saw nothing on them. The tank is small so I have no idea how it stayed hidden this whole time. The tank is a little dirty because I haven’t been able to keep a cleanup crew alive. I definitely added two emerald crabs and before I added them i didn’t see any sign of this crab in the tank. I guess it took the place of one of the emeralds without me noticing lol.

Makes sense.

TBS sounds like the perfect source for these crabs.

You’d be amazed by how much can hide in so little

 

[tzabor10]

That must be what it is. I bought 5 pounds of rubble from TBS months ago. I looked all over the few small pieces of rock and saw nothing on them. The tank is small so I have no idea how it stayed hidden this whole time. The tank is a little dirty because I haven’t been able to keep a cleanup crew alive. I definitely added two emerald crabs and before I added them i didn’t see any sign of this crab in the tank. I guess it took the place of one of the emeralds without me noticing lol.

Exactly. Watch for gorilla crabs as well. Nice work with the Tampa Bay Saltwater! @LiverockRocks
Here is my dude

 

[tzabor10]

How big is your fuge? I want a photo of the crab lol.

It’s a 5 gallon bucket. Pic is below. He rearranges the rocks twice a week

 

[cdemoss01]

How big is your fuge? I want a photo of the crab lol.

It’s a 5 gallon bucket. Pic is below. He rearranges the rocks twice a week

That's awesome lol

 

[Imrahilwjz]

That looks like a Florida Stone Crab. I keep mine in a HOB refugium. Not safe for anything. But fascinating.

I had one too. Moved to the sump after it ate a mushroom

 

[tzabor10]

I had one too. Moved to the sump after it ate a mushroom

Mine upturned every rock in the tank as part of his daily routine. Lost a beautiful Oolophyllia from Jason Fox.