Gall crab pest!

RDHDDRAGON · Jul 21, 2011

The flesh started to die from one side, i have only had the lobo about 2 weeks. Couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. Kept spreading further. Finally I was trying to take pics of it so i could zoom in on it and see what was causing the damage. I saw something move in an adjacent lobo head mouth. My husband stuck a screwdriver in it and below is what popped out. Belly huge with yellow eggs.
Damaged Lobo:

The moving spot:

The crab: That yellow circle is the head of a straight pin. Small!

Closeup of her:

underside with flap pulled up (full of yellow eggs)

Does anyone know how long their incubation time is? I am hoping since its only been in my tank two weeks she hadn't laid more eggs.

Thanks!

spscrazy · Jul 21, 2011

well that's a nasty little bugger glad you found her

RDHDDRAGON · Jul 25, 2011

No doubt! The lobo has unfortunately continued to deteriorate though. :(

spscrazy · Jul 25, 2011

have you tried a dip? maybe there are some more in there hope it gets better

RDHDDRAGON · Aug 17, 2011

I didnt dip it in coral dip. From other posts I read it wont get them (crabs) out anyways. Has anyone gotten crabs out with coral dip?

I did find another crab in the same lobo. Killed the crab. At that point i tried dipping it in Seltzer water, read it woudl flush out ciritters the coral dip would not. Nothing came out.

It has one head left though, so we will see if it survives or not.

revhtree · Aug 17, 2011

Make sure the lobo is in lower light for now.

RDHDDRAGON · Aug 17, 2011

Okay, i will keep him low. Thanks!

exoticcoralfrags · Aug 18, 2011

Most crabs are very resistant to dip. You have to mix the dip so strong to kill crabs, that I wouldn't suggest dipping an Injured or receding coral in that strong of mix. I would suggest to cut it. If it's still alive bring it over and I will saw it for you.