Arrow Crabs- good or bad?

[cubalz]

I am thinking about getting an Arrow Crab for my 90 gal tank. The tank has fish, LR, LS, the usual cleaner crew and am going to eventually have a carpet anemone, a clam or 2 and other possible corals and was wondering if these Arrows attack and eat fish, inverts or clams. I think that they look cool but I don't want to jeopardize my occupants. Please only let me know if you know for sure.

Thanks,
John

[Ninong]

Please only let me know if you know for sure.

Sorry, I'm afraid I don't know for sure because I have never tried one. One of the reasons that I have never tried one in my reef tank is because on page 324 of Fossa & Nilsen's The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium, Volume 3 there is a picture of Stenorhynchus seticornis, which is commonly called the Arrow Crab in the U.S., and they describe it as a carnivore.

I have read many, many reports on the boards of arrow crabs eating corals and other inverts but some people keep them anyway, just like some people keep emerald crabs.

Here is what Marine Depot Live has to say about arrow crabs:

The Arrow Crab may grow to 6 inches. Carnivore. The Stenorhynchus seticornis is generally peaceful toward other tankmates. Reef-safe. [?] Many consider the Stenorhynchus seticornis a low-maintenance specimen. Not venomous. Long legs. Will bother other crabs and feather dusters. Not to be trusted with small to medium fish tank-mates (may spear with rostrum, otherwise consume). Safe with hardy native corals and anemones, larger fishes. Keep water quality high (SG 1.023 - 1.025, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Temp. 72 - 78° F).

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/1173554.html

That's cute. They consider it "reef-safe" even though it will "bother" other crabs and feather dusters and "consume" small fish. It will also consume zooanthids and some soft corals, too. I wonder what they mean by "safe with hardy native corals and anemones?" Do they mean native to the same region where arrow crabs are found, the Western Atlantic? Does that mean they are not safe with non-native species, whatever that means?

[Samper]

I bought my arrow cause I liked him he seems to have developed a symbiotic relationship with most of my fish and the anemones. Sometimes the clowns will go over to him lay on their side and let him clean them my royal gramma is the same way. I have also witnessed him either cleaning the anemone or taking food from it......havent decided which. You might have different results however.

[Pet Lover]

I think they are cool. I have had one only for a little while, he picks but it doesn't look like he hurts anything. The coral doesn't close up like its bothered.
BUT I may be wrong. Just my opinion so far.
He did get tangled in a dead sea fan, hung up behind it and I had to rescue him. His legs got tangled........ He looked so pitiful.
But he is fine now
Do some more research if your going to put money in your corals....
I would. I don't have much in my tank at this time, coral wise so maybe he would be worse if there was a certain type in there he might like more. Maybe some taste better than others ?????????
Anyway, good luck with your tank.;;

[Pet Lover]

Forgot to add- I haven't seen him mess w/the feather dusters sooo far.