Anybody know if the Mithrax crabs overall are good, or bad for a reef aquarium.

------------------
Go somewhere else and sell crazy, were all full here!.............


Ignance is blizs!

Taken from http://www.FFExpress.com

"Mithrax (Emerald) Crab: The classic example of an overachiever, these cool looking little green crabs with their hairy back legs feast tirelessly on both bubble (Valonia) and hair algae. Like all of the members of our CleanUp Crews, they are completely reef safe (i.e., they won't harm any corals or polyps). Size: about 1"."

------------------
-------------------------------
Matthew Madill

hinescom ~

They are frequently recommended as consumers of bubble algae (Valonia). As they get larger they will become more dangerous and destructive. They are a risk to actually kill fish and eat things other than Valonia.

If you are considering trying any of these guys, be prepared to eventually remove them once they reach Conan-the-Destroyer stage. Also, never believe what you read on any of the online vendor sites about how reef-safe any of their livestock may or may not be.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

------------------
Irrational Exuberance!

hinescom,
I come from the land of Mithrax crabs. [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img]
Bottom line, as juv. they love their greens and they have no manners. If you're trying to get rid of one algea and cultivate another forget it. As they get older their diet changes to more protein (reproductive thing). They love to look under things for food and they are very strong. Thus you're constantly picking up after them. Oh, did I mention how fast they grow.
HTH
Jerel

Thanks guys,

I find that very intresting

Thanks for the info guys, I think that I will get one. I guess I'll eventually have to get rid of him when he reaches the larger size, but I have a local lfs that gives me pretty good trade in prices. I could really use the benefits of one of these guys right now though.

------------------
Go somewhere else and sell crazy, were all full here!.............


Ignance is blizs!

The emerald crab by experience,
they are cute when they are little they are very busy eating algea, but they grow very quick and get very large. As juvies they were great, as adults i have had to remove them as i can, because they have become destructive to my yellow polyps and leathers. I watched one destroy 3 or 4 yellow polyps in a setting, and finaly they started tearing the skin right off the leather toadstool i have they are now cleaning the sump for eternity. Just my 2 cents.




------------------
Robert

I have one for a month and he molted 3 times already, growing from a quarter of an inch to almost 1" during this short period. He has been very efficient eating all kinds of algae in my tank.

What size do you guys consider to be adults and should be taken out? I don't want to wait till it's too late.