The good, the bad, and the ugly: Is there a such a thing as a “good” sump crab?

[Peace River]

The good, the bad, and the ugly: Is there a such a thing as a “good” sump crab?

Whether it is a rogue crab that acquired an appetite for coral or a hitchhiker crab that will likely be a problem in the future, there are times when it is advisable to remove a crab from our reef tanks. In these situations, often the recommendation is to put it in the sump. Even in the sump, some of these crabs can still be problematic (anyone ever had a crab that cut a power cord or damaged a sensor?). Usually when we see a hairy crab or see one with red tips on the claws, we think “sump crab”. But does this mean it is a bad crab? Is there such a thing as a “good” sump crab? Tell us about your experience with sump crabs and let us know where you put sump crabs on the scale of good, bad, and ugly.

Gorilla crab; photo by @sukimu

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Arrow crab for the win. Bristle worm destroyers.

 

[vetteguy53081]

if its hairy- its scary and not worth it
If I didnt buy it- Not willing to try it
and
If in doubt, pull it out

This has kept me safe for years

 

[RichReef]

Sally Lightfoots.

4 in my 40B frag tank.
8 in my 75 fuge.
2 in sump.
2-3 year life span.

They don't eat fauna.
They don't eat corals.
They don't bother the fish. Just a HEY! This is my spot kind of thing.
Nothing can keep rocks cleaner.
They eat anything that even remotely looks like algae as long as it's short.

 

[Typhon]

if its hairy- its scary and not worth it
If I didnt buy it- Not willing to try it
and
If in doubt, pull it out

This has kept me safe for years

I like that. Going to remember it.

 

[Slocke]

Arrow crab for the win. Bristle worm destroyers.

I'd rather have bristle worms

 

[Typhon]

Sally Lightfoots.

4 in my 40B frag tank.
8 in my 75 fuge.
2 in sump.
2-3 year life span.

They don't eat fauna.
They don't eat corals.
They don't bother the fish. Just a HEY! This is my spot kind of thing.
Nothing can keep rocks cleaner.
They eat anything that even remotely looks like algae as long as it's short.

I my experience, they are fine when small, but when they get larger. I have seen them take out small fish.

 

[RichReef]

I my experience, they are fine when small, but when they get larger. I have seen them take out small fish.

That's why they are in the sumps.

 

[paragrouper]

No sump. No crabs. No problem.

 

[tory990]

Loving this thread!

 

[Jacked Reefer]

For all of you that vote they are all bad. I will take your sump crabs. Gimme weird inverts pleaze

 

[FREAKINRICAN69]

Sally Lightfoots.

4 in my 40B frag tank.
8 in my 75 fuge.
2 in sump.
2-3 year life span.

They don't eat fauna.
They don't eat corals.
They don't bother the fish. Just a HEY! This is my spot kind of thing.
Nothing can keep rocks cleaner.
They eat anything that even remotely looks like algae as long as it's short.

Interesting...thanks for sharing

 

[ReeferHD]

i had an arrow crab in my sump for a while, kept the chaeto free of any pests, eventually he got too big and i even tried putting him in the DT, ended badly with him messing up my macroalgae and eating 2 snails, he was only in there for about 3 minutes too, to the LFS he went, i miss him now though. right now i have a small gorilla crab in my skimmer section, not sure what he does down there but it's pretty cool when i see him.

 

[pepper89]

To be honest, I am just interested in what other people say. I have been planning on having a few clean-up crew members in my refugium to help keep it a little cleaner, but idk what I will actually put down there. Crabs seem interesting, but my sump is a 10-gallon that I baffled an overflow and return area, so not really sure if a crab would work.

I agree with @vetteguy53081 that if I didn't put it in there, I probably won't want it.

 

[vlangel]

I love all creatures, and I love my sump. Many of a incompatible creature has lived in my 30 gallon sump. Right now a friend's 10+year old clownfish that they didn't want anymore, (I already had an established clown in my display) lives in my sump along with a fish eating pistol shrimp. Luckily the old clown is way too big to eat!

 

[Eienna]

Not sure if I want to risk getting pinched while cleaning the sump XD

 

[vlangel]

Not sure if I want to risk getting pinched while cleaning the sump XD

LOL, I remedy that by not cleaning the sump!

 

[LPS Bum]

Technically not a crab, but a Debelius Reef Lobster makes a great sump creature if you have the space, can provide a cave for it to hang out in, and you're willing to feed it daily. And you don't need to worry about your reef critters being eaten or harassed.

 

[littlefoxx]

if its hairy- its scary and not worth it
If I didnt buy it- Not willing to try it
and
If in doubt, pull it out

This has kept me safe for years

New to the saltwater hobby… this seems very good advise that I will remember! And uh whats a hairy crab? Only ever seen emeralds in stores

 

[vetteguy53081]

New to the saltwater hobby… this seems very good advise that I will remember! And uh whats a hairy crab? Only ever seen emeralds in stores

Gorilla is one example and part of xanthis group