lanman July 28, 2008 Share July 28, 2008 I have a really nice efflo that has been growing well for 6 months. A small 'acro crab' moved into it when a frag I purchased died. Since then, I have strange looking 'dead spots' on the efflo that looks eaten. Do some of these 'commensal' crabs eat their hosts?? bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller July 28, 2008 Share July 28, 2008 It's not unusual to have dead looking spots on a efflo but it would be strange to find a true acro crab eating it's host. They typically protect they're host via cleaning, grooming and ridding of many associated pests. Does detritous sit anywhere on this efflo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanman July 29, 2008 Author Share July 29, 2008 It's not unusual to have dead looking spots on a efflo but it would be strange to find a true acro crab eating it's host. They typically protect they're host via cleaning, grooming and ridding of many associated pests. Does detritous sit anywhere on this efflo? Occasionally my sleeper goby deposits some sand on it - but it gets blown back off that evening. It is still only about 3" ... the crab has 'carved out' a spot under the ONE slightly overhanging piece. The crab is fuzzy, and has sharp black claws - like a gorilla crab. Would a gorilla crab live in a coral? Let me take pictures... the yellowish areas are the parts I'm talking about. After a few days, they start to grow back over with green. But if whatever continues nibbling at it - it won't last long. The efflo: The crab: bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Lazar July 29, 2008 Share July 29, 2008 Are you sure it's not another pest, like acropora eating flatworms? Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller July 29, 2008 Share July 29, 2008 where's the acro crab? He should be in the pic since they usually hang IN the host. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanman July 29, 2008 Author Share July 29, 2008 Are you sure it's not another pest, like acropora eating flatworms? Jon Only if they only come out at night, or are too small to see with a magnifying glass... I've seen no other pests on that thing. Chip - the crab lives under that little branch. It's the only place I've ever seen him. bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Lazar July 30, 2008 Share July 30, 2008 Is the coral attached? You could try chasing the crab off to another coral, then move the efflo onto the sand and put a strawberry basket or other cage over it to isloate the coral. This would give the coral a break from whatever is going on with the crab. Perhaps the crab is munching, or perhaps it is simply irritating the coral too much. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phisigs79 July 30, 2008 Share July 30, 2008 that looks like a gorilla crab. Looks pretty hairy if you ask me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartbreak July 30, 2008 Share July 30, 2008 Hairy = Bad Remove that thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefhunter July 30, 2008 Share July 30, 2008 This is what mine looks like... I think you have a different kind of crab... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller July 30, 2008 Share July 30, 2008 Occasionally my sleeper goby deposits some sand on it - but it gets blown back off that evening. It is still only about 3" ... the crab has 'carved out' a spot under the ONE slightly overhanging piece. The crab is fuzzy, and has sharp black claws - like a gorilla crab. Would a gorilla crab live in a coral? Let me take pictures... the yellowish areas are the parts I'm talking about. After a few days, they start to grow back over with green. But if whatever continues nibbling at it - it won't last long. The efflo: The crab: bob Sorry boB, I thought that was a piece of rock. I would reove the crab and get out the old bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROBZ July 30, 2008 Share July 30, 2008 Bob you definitely want to take that crab out, i had the same thing taking chunks out of a millipora Bob you definitely want to take that crab out, i had the same thing taking chunks out of a millipora Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanman July 30, 2008 Author Share July 30, 2008 Captured! Alive!! Now let's see if the coral heals up. Thanks for the suggestion! bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanman September 2, 2008 Author Share September 2, 2008 And... a month later, without the crab: BAD crab!! bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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