Strawberry crab and serpent star together?

[christinna77]

Anyone have experience with these two together? I added a banded serpent star about a week ago, and it immediately crawled under a rock already home to one of my strawberry crabs. I figured one of them would move, but they both stayed, and now I always see them right next to each other, completely unbothered.

Strawberry crab (taken a while back, I almost never see him out):

Serpent star:

Here's a picture and a video I recorded last night (in complete darkness, I used red flashlight). I offered them a piece of shrimp, and they both dragged it into their den and started eating together (not in the video). Here’s hoping this new “friendship” lasts!

 

[Rocks reef]

Strawberry crabs are omnivores by nature. They are also known as 'boxing crabs', their claws are flatter for eating detritus, scrapping algae etc. It appears the brittle star is larger, thus the risk is lower that the crab may bother it. If they are coexisting peacefully at this point. I'd just keep an eye on them. I would also ensure the crab is well fed as they will feed on smaller invertebrates.

 

[christinna77]

Strawberry crabs are omnivores by nature. They are also known as 'boxing crabs', their claws are flatter for eating detritus, scrapping algae etc. It appears the brittle star is larger, thus the risk is lower that the crab may bother it. If they are coexisting peacefully at this point. I'd just keep an eye on them. I would also ensure the crab is well fed as they will feed on smaller invertebrates.

Thanks for the information, will do! I'll keep giving them a small piece of shrimp when the lights are out every other day or so, that should keep them both fed and happy.