Arrow Crab with an attitude

[WayneC]

Hello all,

I picked up an Arrow for my 50g reef a few months ago from my LFS. It has done a great job of bristle worm hunting and cleaning up and has moulted (shed?) about 4 times.

The other day he picked up one of my decent sized blue leg hermits and made a meal of him. Is this common in anyone's experience? Will he start shelling my snails next?

Thanks,

[NanoReeferBoy]

Hi Wayne,
Sorry to hear the story. I have heard in the past that Arrow Crabs sometimes eat Corals, but I haven't heard about the crabs. Watch your corals, he might try to eat them...

[MRIGUY]

I have only had one arrow crab and he was a real SOB. He pesterd everyone. He was reef safe in as much as he a never ate any corals but he did pick on ALL other crustaceans and several of the fish. I'm sure it wasn't starvation as I am rather heavy handed with the food.

John

[Alice]

He's a crab. They do have a tendency to eat things we don't want them to eat. Just curious, why were you trying to eradicate the bristle worms? I'm glad I've got them in my tank to act as scavengers and to keep the sandbed stirred a little.

~Alice

[WayneC]

Thanks for the feedback, all.
Alice, I actually picked him up because I have always liked their appearance, and have read numerous times that they can be "trusted" in a reef setting.

He is still really interesting to watch, especially when he sheds. My only problem is his insatiable appetite, leading to the "crab-grazing" incident.

Nothing personal against the worms!

I found a fellow reefer in Ames IA who is interested in giving the guy a new home, so it looks like my problem is solved!