How to "Train" an Emerald Crab

I got this really whacko idea the other day. I've had 2 emerald crabs - one who would eat bubble algae and the other who wouldn't touch it. Of course, the one who won't touch it is in the tank now. The other one got huge and now lives in the refugium. So, I got another one in my shipment from reefcleaners.org. I was acclimating it and was trying to figure out how to "introduce" the crab to bubble algae. I tried to put the first crab around some bubble algae, but of course, it darted off and hid. So, I decided to drop a piece or two of bubble algae in the bag, thinking maybe the thing was hungry from spending 2 days in a box.



It immediately went for the bubble algae! I've been watching it in the tank for a few days and last night, success! It found a patch on my back wall and went to town on it!



Who says you can't train a crab? ;D

 

Pretty cool

 

Now that's using your noggin'

 

Cool
I can't stand emeralds... little bandits

 

Usefully informative. Thank you for the idea, I was just thinking of adding one to the tank so when I do I will try that.

 

very cool idea triplemom, too bad couldnt train the family that easily. lol

 

I've given up on the family!!!! Training an emerald crab is definitely easier....