Hi reef people. :) Crab question/concern...

[ToddTT]

I posted in the fish forum, but maybe the experts I need are in here. I'm wondering if a hitchhiking crab is going to pose an immediate threat to my fish.

Please have a look, and please pardon the cross-post.

http://www.reefland.com/forum/saltwater-fish-only-aquariums/29161-have-i-saved-my-scooter-sentenced-him-grisly-death.html#post215871

Thanks!

[Bloodydecks]

I'm a fan of crabs, as cleaners. As it has said here before..crabs are opportunistic feeders. Scavengers is a better adjective Some crabs prefer to feed on certain things, like algae, but all will feed on dead stuff when the preferred food choice is not available. Larger crabs will go after fish, especially when they are "sleeping". I would remove this crab, as you don't know what species it is.....

If you are really worried about it...since you know where the crab is hiding..take the rock out, place it in a bucket of tank water. Place the rock in the bucket so that the crab hole is on the top end...add just enough water so that the only part of the rock not submerged is the crab hole...in time, the crab will climb out, and go to the bottom of the rock...put your finger over the crab whole and lift the rock out, and shake it the crab off..

OR simply jam a screw driver into the hole and kill the crab.

[Parrothead]

""OR simply jam a screw driver into the hole and kill the crab""

A skewer and the grill will work too, or 2 part epoxy his butt into the rock.

As Bloodydecks said, unidentified, get rid of him asap, unlike Bloodydecks, I am not a crab fan at all.

[Steve McKay]

""OR simply jam a screw driver into the hole and kill the crab""

A skewer and the grill will work too, or 2 part epoxy his butt into the rock.

As Bloodydecks said, unidentified, get rid of him asap, unlike Bloodydecks, I am not a crab fan at all.

+1,I'm not a crab fan unless there on my dinner plate.You should also research a fish before you buy it.Here is a link to a short article that may help.Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Red Scooter Dragonet

[ToddTT]

Well, I couldn't get him out of the rock, so for the time being I have put a pump strainer in the hole. So he lives another day, and probably still gets to eat uneaten bits the flow into crevices in the rock, and the strainer.

Scooter has displayed a knack for grabbing mysis shrimp, so I think I have found the means to keep him happy and fed. I bought some Arctipods too, but when I squirt some in his vicinity he barely seems to notice!