What if any decorator crab could go in a 15 gallon?

[PizzaIan339]

I really, Really want a decorator crab! I stopped my my LFS a little while ago and I saw their small sponge decorator crab in their 200 gallon tank. I was fascinated by it and I wanted to know what decorator crab if any would do the best in a 15 gallon innovative marine cube tank? I attached a picture below of the tank and it’s aquascape to see if that would help with choosing a crab! Currently the stocking is a pair of clowns a trocus snail and in the future I am planning to make this a mixed reef.

 

[Kens Bees]

Pom Pom crabs are cool. I recently put a pair in a 40B and when I get to see them it’s awesome. Probably be a better fit in a smaller tank like yours.

 

[Stomatopods17]

You can keep any decorator in a 10.

Just no more than 1.

IME sponge decorators are small pet rocks and get boring very quickly, they tend to not use anything but sponges too. Spider decorators will move around a bit... you probably won't see it actually move around but you'll know it changed spots at least.

 

[PizzaIan339]

Pom Pom crabs are cool. I recently put a pair in a 40B and when I get to see them it’s awesome. Probably be a better fit in a smaller tank like yours.

Hmm pom pom crabs are very interesting I may do one of those! thank you

 

[ReeferHD]

highly recommend the sponge decorator crab, super interesting with lots of personality, i have one, its my profile pic! mine wears GSP on his back

 

[Cthulukelele]

Spider or sponge decorators are both fun if you're looking for something you'll regularly see. Be aware though if you get either and you keep softies they're likely to frag them to use as part of their disguise.

 

[PizzaIan339]

Wow now I am torn Pom Pom or sponge?

 

[ReeferHD]

Wow now I am torn Pom Pom or sponge?

if you were to do both i doubt they would fight, pom pom hides a lot while the decorator is a slow mover, though the decorator is cooler in my opinion.

 

[PizzaIan339]

if you were to do both i doubt they would fight, pom pom hides a lot while the decorator is a slow mover, though the decorator is cooler in my opinion.

I also have an emerald crab (I love crabs!) Does that complicate anything?

 

[ReeferHD]

I also have an emerald crab (I love crabs!) Does that complicate anything?

usually emeralds arent an issue but some specimens can be aggressive toward fish and some inverts. 9/10 will just eat algae.

 

[PizzaIan339]

usually emeralds arent an issue but some specimens can be aggressive toward fish and some inverts. 9/10 will just eat algae.

Thanks!

 

[PizzaIan339]

You can keep any decorator in a 10.

Just no more than 1.

IME sponge decorators are small pet rocks and get boring very quickly, they tend to not use anything but sponges too. Spider decorators will move around a bit... you probably won't see it actually move around but you'll know it changed spots at least.

Have you had one before?

 

[Stomatopods17]

Have you had one before?

Yes, both kinds.

Spider decorators are pretty entertaining but get huge. They don't move much but it was always in a different spot when I checked on it and a fun "where's waldo" minigame for the tank. They're also not picky on what they decorate with.

Sponge decorator I've literally seen stand in the same exact spot without moving in the open sand for a month, the only indication it was alive being the antenna and after that month it finally decided to munch on a dead lemon anglefish back to standing still. It didn't even decorate and at that time there was plenty of hair algae (most likely cause they're primary sponges only).

I've never had frilly arrows yet though.

 

[PizzaIan339]

Yes, both kinds.

Spider decorators are pretty entertaining but get huge. They don't move much but it was always in a different spot when I checked on it and a fun "where's waldo" minigame for the tank. They're also not picky on what they decorate with.

Sponge decorator I've literally seen stand in the same exact spot without moving in the open sand for a month, the only indication it was alive being the antenna and after that month it finally decided to munch on a dead lemon anglefish back to standing still. It didn't even decorate and at that time there was plenty of hair algae (most likely cause they're primary sponges only).

I've never had frilly arrows yet though.

Ok thanks the one at my LFS is always moving around so that is interesting that yours did not.

 

[Tired]

The one at your LFS is probably trying to find somewhere to hide.

I've kept a sponge decorator. They don't move much, and, in the absence of a sponge to wear, they don't wear anything except the algae that grows on them. Go for a spider decorator.

 

[PizzaIan339]

The one at your LFS is probably trying to find somewhere to hide.

I've kept a sponge decorator. They don't move much, and, in the absence of a sponge to wear, they don't wear anything except the algae that grows on them. Go for a spider decorator.

Thanks!