bcjm February 20, 2003 February 20, 2003 I read some threads in RC talking about using emerald crabs to control the bubble algae. Wondering if anyone have any experience with this. Looks like some crabs do eat some don't. I guess they just like people, some prefer Chinese food some prefer Italian. How big of the crab should I get? Anyone see any for sale locally?
quazi February 20, 2003 February 20, 2003 I have had great success with them. I get them @ TRT. They are about $5 apiece, cheaper if you buy 3. I bought 3 and they wiped out the bubble algae in my tank.
michaelg February 20, 2003 February 20, 2003 Interesting- I put one in my 10 gallon nano (only tank I've ever had this problem) and I swear he won't touch them- big or small. Bob if you are going to try them, don't get them too big (I have seen some huge ones, but mine doesn't seem to grow fast). Maybe I should try a second one? Michael
Aquariareview February 21, 2003 February 21, 2003 I have had these crabs and some will eat the bubble algae and some won't. the smaller they are the more likely they are to eat it. As they grow they will eat all kinds of stuff I have had some even eat inverts when they get big. The good news is they grow slow and when they get large you can put them in a fish only system.
chideloh February 21, 2003 February 21, 2003 I don't know guys, mine won't eat it and it is growing fast. When I got it it was a tiny guy, but it's only been couple of months and it has gotten big. David
quazi February 21, 2003 February 21, 2003 David, That crab is eating something! :p Maybe he just is making much of a dent. I would try getting 2 more and see if that makes a dent.
Guest phillipw February 21, 2003 February 21, 2003 Hi, I recently added 6 to my tank and they polished off what little bubble algae I had. They do seem to be growing fast so I hope they do not become a problem.
Guest Scott324 February 21, 2003 February 21, 2003 I got one and he doesn't seem to touch the algae. He does like climbing all over my M caps. I know Roozens had some Bob, so you may be able to check there. Don't remember the price. Scott
quazi February 21, 2003 February 21, 2003 keep away from my crabs go to TRT, they have the special bubble eating crabs
Guest phillipw February 21, 2003 February 21, 2003 I ordered a reef cleanup package from saltwaterfish.com http://www.saltwaterfish.com/index_order1.html consisting of 50 Scarlet Reef Hermits 25 Blue Leg Hermits 50 Turbo Snails 10 Hawaiian Zebra Hermits 3 Horseshoe Crabs 10 Emerald Crabs 3 Serpent Stars 3 Brittle Stars 3 Flame Scallops 3 Feather Dusters 3 Peppermint Shrimp They have totally striped the tank of all hair algae, bubble algae and even some small aptasia I hade. I now can only find 1 large aptasia left where I know I had at least 5 or 6 visible. I assume the Peppermint shrimp got the aptasia and the emerald crabs got the bubble. I am not sure how much of this was luck....
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