Acropora Eating Crab (Gorilla Crab Finally Caught!)

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by ComputerJohn, Nov 26, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Do they serve any good purpose? I think I found one in my 54gal hiding under a rock that has zoos & an anemone.. From what I can see, it's very fuzzy light brown/tan in color, and does not come out.
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2011
  2. Click Here!

  3. Atticus818

    Atticus818 Eyelash Blennie

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2010
    Messages:
    1,281
    Location:
    Southern California
    Some acro crabs are good, but from your description of it, this guy will just pick the flesh off of your acros. Photo for verification.
     
  4. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Yeah, I'm going to try & grab it tomorrow.. I'll post pic..
     
  5. Atticus818

    Atticus818 Eyelash Blennie

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2010
    Messages:
    1,281
    Location:
    Southern California
    I had one that matched your description that I thought was good, with a bit or research I ended up removing him, within several days corals that were getting munched on quickly looked better.
     
  6. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts

    That might explain why the Bird's Nest Acropora pretty much died that was in the 54gal before I got it.. I have it in my 90gal & seeing if I can revive it.
     
  7. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
    Messages:
    3,471
    Acro crabs do not eat corals, they clean them and are very important for their long-term survival. If the crab is eating the coral, it isn't an acro crab, but rather a predatory crab. There are varying degrees of predatory crabs, some eat corals slow enough that the coral still grows faster than the damage occurs. Some people actually do keep these. Personally I would remove though.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2009
    Messages:
    1,199
    Location:
    Walnutport, PA
    I have an acro crab in my generic yellow acro colony and it is by far the faster growing coral in my aquarium. He isn't fuzzy though he is smooth and tannish in color.

    Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
     
  10. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Hmm great feedback guys. I'll just have to check later on when I try to get it out. I have to catch the clown first or she will bite the hell out of me.

    Sent from my Sprint Samsung Epic Touch using Tapatalk.
     
  11. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2009
    Messages:
    1,199
    Location:
    Walnutport, PA
    Lol have fun with that...my clowns were the biggest pain to catch when I moved tanks lol.

    Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
     
  12. Beachbreak

    Beachbreak Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2011
    Messages:
    82
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    the "bad" acro crabs have a couple of distinguishing characteristics:

    Hairy or fuzzy looking
    black claw/pincher tips
    blue eyes

    These do eat polyps/flesh and are best removed when spotted. They come in on a LOT of maricultured pieces so if you buy maricultured I'd inspect closely and remove upon detection.