Pitho crabs for bubble algae

[Miami Reef]

I emailed Reef Cleaners yesterday and I got this reply:

“If you have an outbreak like that it may be worth getting Pitho Crabs. They are more effective than Emeralds. 3 of them would do a surprising amount in your quarantine tank, and could serve to clean things for you in the future.”

I bought KP rocks that came with about 3 pieces of bubble algae but now my 20 gallon QT tank is infested. Growing on my clam shells, snail shells, rocks, and looking absolutely disgusting.

I tried 2 male emerald crabs: one killed the other and now the remaining is useless for bubble algae.

 

[jhuntstl]

Pithos are fantastic at eating many different micro and macros, including valonia. I recommend them often. I always give the caveat that they are decorator crabs. When I had zoas and softer coral, they absolutely will frag them.... and wear them on their heads....

 

[Clarkjw2002]

I have several, 3 or 5--can't remember, in my 40gal breeder biodiversity tank filled with KP rock. Originally got them to keep Dictyota in check that was starting to grow plus a few bubbles. The eat every macro in sight and I have never had any issue after adding them. Every once in a while I'll find a bubble or a small patch of Dictyota in an obscure spot that is hard to reach for the crabs and I suck out with my weekly water changes using old display tank water.

And this tank now has at least one frag from every one of my SPS corals (and an orange head hammer) from the display growing. The crabs have never touched them, just FYI.

I had a severe outbreak of bubble algae in my RS 450 display two years ago so I am keen to keep it from moving to my retirement build. Think I got like 10 emeralds from ReefCleaners and pulled a bunch of algae manually for several weeks/months. Reduced the population by 90% over a year's time but now I'm at a steady state where they eat as fast as it grows.

My yellow tang has taken to eating it daily, which was surprising to me, so I constantly get free flowing pieces down the overflow clogging the valve that I clear every morning and night. Annoying but manageable. Looking forward to the day that I shut this 450 down!

 

[bnord]

have had them before and only comment is they seem to stay low in my tank - but not a bother to the LPS at that level - fun to watch too

I know others disagree but I sex emeralds in the store and only bring home small females or if I get a male it is sumped. only place I have bubble is on power heads or grates.

 

[Miami Reef]

have had them before and only comment is they seem to stay low in my tank - but not a bother to the LPS at that level - fun to watch too

I know others disagree but I sex emeralds in the store and only bring home small females or if I get a male it is sumped. only place I have bubble is on power heads or grates.

I am also seeing other posts about females being better at bubble algae.

Maybe this is a contributing factor on why emerald crabs can be hit or miss?

I’m going to return my male and get some females tomorrow and see how they work.

 

[A Young Reefer]

I am also seeing other posts about females being better at bubble algae.

Maybe this is a contributing factor on why emerald crabs can be hit or miss?

I’m going to return my male and get some females tomorrow and see how they work.

its not that they are better but females are considered to be more reef safe. males grow larger and have larger claws, they also tend to pick on corals more.

 

[Miami Reef]

its not that they are better but females are considered to be more reef safe. males grow larger and have larger claws, they also tend to pick on corals more.

Ah, i see.

Does anyone have a working theory on how reef cleaners guarantee their emerald crabs eat bubble algae?

 

[A Young Reefer]

Ah, i see.

Does anyone have a working theory on how reef cleaners guarantee their emerald crabs eat bubble algae?

only theory I have is them putting them in a tank with bubble algae and observe them munching it away.

 

[bnord]

I am also seeing other posts about females being better at bubble algae.

Maybe this is a contributing factor on why emerald crabs can be hit or miss?

I’m going to return my male and get some females tomorrow and see how they work.

I see the small females pick over the small polyp gonnis and zoas and understand why that freaks folks out but I (for one) have never seem ill effects on those corals.

good luck catching the male - smile

 

[Miami Reef]

I see the small females pick over the small polyp gonnis and zoas and understand why that freaks folks out but I (for one) have never seem ill effects on those corals.

good luck catching the male - smile

Should be easy. It’s only a 20 gallon. I’m only worried because both males pinched the LFS worker HARD. It hurt him bad.

 

[bnord]

Ah, i see.

Does anyone have a working theory on how reef cleaners guarantee their emerald crabs eat bubble algae?

because in 4 tanks with emeralds in them the only bubbles I see are in inaccessible spots and I have seen them devour it when in a test tank

And yes, I know there are folks who have had problems with them

 

[bnord]

Should be easy. It’s only a 20 gallon. I’m only worried because both males pinched the LFS worker HARD. It hurt him bad.

that which does not kill you makes you strong - smile

 

[CoralB]

Pithos are fantastic at eating many different micro and macros, including valonia. I recommend them often. I always give the caveat that they are decorator crabs. When I had zoas and softer coral, they absolutely will frag them.... and wear them on their heads....

How much bubble do you think one would consume daily ,or weekly ??? When you say defrag you really mean cut off and kill right?

 

[jhuntstl]

How much bubble do you think one would consume daily ,or weekly ??? When you say defrag you really mean cut off and kill right?

I could not say with any certainty how much they'd consume. I just know bubble algae has never been a major issue since I've had them.

And no. They are pretty skilled at fragging from what I've seen. It is not uncommon to see a zoa on their head that is extended. Now eventually they remove it or it falls off, which can be a bigger concern. If you're trying to avoid let's say an invasive paly from spreading, Pithos may work against you.

They will even tear a bristleworm in half and wear it living. They are some savage mofos.

 

[CoralB]

Nice!!! Now I want them lol

 

[JoJosReef]

I've got bubble algae coming up in my 13.5g and 10g. But, both tanks are heavy on macroalgae (brotycladia, pom pom gracilaria, codium, galaxaura) , so I don't know if a pitho or emerald would be safe. What do you all think?

 

[jhuntstl]

Nice!!! Now I want them lol

Prepare for Pitho spam.

 

[JoJosReef]

Prepare for Pitho spam.

Not entirely sure what to make of these. Are they eating everything?

 

[CoralB]

Prepare for Pitho spam.

Wow!!! Looks large . How big do they get and can they take out a cryptic wrasse ??? Pic number 3 is huge !!! And who would win in a fight emerald or this guy ???

 

[jhuntstl]

Not entirely sure what to make of these. Are they eating everything?

They do seem to eat everything, but I have not seen them actively eating any coral. I only have SPS in this tank now and I've yet to see any small polyps on their head. They will crawl on and disturb coral, but i mean...i think that's okay.

They eat nori, macros, micros, pellets, meat, detritus, and maybe even sponges? I had an invasive white sponge taking over the base of some birdsnest that they cleared up.