Emerald Crabs

Shock · 09-14-2008, 04:17 PM

Hey everyone,

Well ive been fighting some bubble algae, there is alot in my tank. and its getting on my nerves, and im guessing the problem is my RO/DI filters, (no TDS meter, im stupid i know lol) but yam new filters will be here tuesday,

Anyways, im going to pick up my new puppy on tuesday and its near the LFS (hour away) So i was thinking abotu dropping in and getting a emerald crab since they are known to eat some bubble algae. Does anyone have any expierence with them? Eating corals or anything?

Thanks!

unclejed · 09-14-2008, 04:37 PM

Yes, I have kept them for some time. They are characters and I like them. Some can be shy and hardly ever come out during the day and others forage all day but are skiddish if you go by the tank.
In my experience, they hardly ever eat bubble. I've had green and orange (red) bubble and one time one of mine would eat some but that won't controll it.
I ended up trying "Algone" as directed and used 2 pouches for my 55 gal. and changed it every 5 days for three weeks or so and the nitrates went from 20 to zero. About a week or so later I noticed the bubble stopped growing.
Just so you know, bubble will come in any tank no mater if it seems to be pristine, will run it's course and go away as fast as it came.

Judge · 09-14-2008, 07:46 PM

Oh yes, Uncle Jed is right on the money. I have Green Emerald's and yes they are characters but mine won't eat anything in the form of algae. He does not bother any of my corals, but I think if he could grab a slow fish he would! Fortunately Chromies are anything but slow. I find mine to be an interesting addition and he keeps any leftover food from staying more than a micro second.

Rychek · 09-14-2008, 08:46 PM

I have an emerald crab in my tank, he is very shy, but he hasn't bothered any of my corals. I had a brown mythrax crab (or so it was labled at the store) and it ate anything that got in its way, but the emerald crab has been a model citizen.

Shock · 09-14-2008, 09:30 PM

Alright, well i might just pick one up anyways, i have no crabs in the tank, so i think ill get one. I had hair algae really bad for a few months and its all gone now, the bubble algae took over, and now its taking over mytank, growing on rocks, even in the sand.

Judge · 09-14-2008, 09:32 PM

OK, just curious but don't want to steal the thread but how did you get rid of the hair algae??Just curious, I have my on going battle with it.
Sharon

Shock · 09-15-2008, 10:51 AM

To be honest Sharon, Nothing. Like all algae, I just let it run its course. Just like this bubble algae im fighting, it will come, and then go. I do believe my lawnmower blenny helped clean up but by no means cured it. I faught the fair algae for easily 2-3 months, and didnt do anything but my normal water changes that were done anywhere between 2 weeks to a month or more.

Wish i could be of more help :|

Dr.Fragenstein · 09-15-2008, 11:01 AM

Emerald crabs will eat bubble algae, I've seen it on many occasions when I used to do aquarium set up/maintanance. Also Red Sea Sailfins will, BUT only the RED SEA ones. The crabs will NOT eat it if there is easier sources of food for them i.e left over fish food or easier algae. They prefer microalgae but like I said if the tank is pretty pristine they WILL eat the bubble. On the other hand I have seen some specimens nibble on corals like button polyps.
unclejed, I have to disagree about the bubble just appearing in any tank no matter how pristine, I haven't had bubble algae in my tanks for years, probably since the first 6 mos of having a S/W tank and that was over 4 years ago.
Judge... As far as h/a is concerned, its redundant but nutrient export, proper light spectrum, herbivores like certain tropical snails and dwarf crabs or tangs and rabbit fish, lastly manual removal.
Shock, the bubble is growing on the sand?!?! Never seen that before. I honestly if its that bad, would when you are doing a W/C take the siphon over the bubble and pick the bubbles off and siphon the bubble out. MAKE SURE you siphon not only the bubble out but the water around the bubble as they release spores when plucked off.

Good luck

Judge · 09-15-2008, 11:07 AM

Thanks Shock that was a big help. I am already doing what I need to and all conditions have been stable for months now so I just have to be patient. Again, thanks.

Shock · 09-15-2008, 05:16 PM

Ya Judge, dont worry about it too much, my params have been "perfect" ever since it cycled, algae just comes and goes in phases.