Emerald crabs and chalices?

[Acroholic]

I have a bit of a bubble algae issue in my chalice tank. Too much to remove by hand, unfortunately. I was going to add 2-3 emerald crabs if they are OK with chalices.

Anyone have bad experience with these guys and chalices? I have lots of LEs and their well being is most important, of course.

Thanks for any help.
Dave

 

[MikeB]

I have had one for over a year. he did take a little piece of my bubblegum monster once. Other than that no issues. He ate about a eraser size piece but there was algae around it.

 

[Acroholic]

Thanks for the quick response. The tank is a 100 gallon, 30" x 30" x 24".

Any suggestions for how many I should add? I guess what I don't want to do is add too many so they eat all the Valonia, and then I need to keep them well fed so they stay away from the corals. I'd like to keep the algae and crab population in balance, if that is possible.

 

[roshi719]

I have had no issues with the big hoss I have in my frag tank. As for a 100 gal tank... I would think at least 4. That's how many I have in my 75 and they took it from being infested w/ bubble algae to naught in a couple weeks.

 

[Acroholic]

I have had no issues with the big hoss I have in my frag tank. As for a 100 gal tank... I would think at least 4. That's how many I have in my 75 and they took it from being infested w/ bubble algae to naught in a couple weeks.

Now that I think about it, I doubt they would starve in this tank. I have a McKoskers wrasse, three banghais, and 12 scissor tail gobies, and I feed twice daily (dry and frozen).