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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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08-09-2001, 12:40 AM
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#1
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Reefer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: atlanta
Posts: 233
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Best mid size crab for reef tank?
I have a few small (dime size) blue leg crabs and 2 white crabs in my 29, with one sixline wrasse. I was thinking about adding another crab, something interesting. Yet it seems that most of the reading I do tells me that most crabs, once they get some size to them, eat whatever they can get a hold of. So other than small algea eating crabs, are their any candidates for a good tankmate to my fish?
Dustin
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58 Oceanic, 30 Refugium. 175W 10K Ushio, 2 VHO 50/50's, ASM GX1, high flow.
Zoo collection (27 varieties), shrooms, rose anemone.
Created:February 2000
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08-09-2001, 12:57 AM
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#2
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Ghost of reefers past
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 25,137
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Micro hermits maybe but I really rather like snails, shrimp and brittle or serpent stars as scavengers. Some crabs can be useful, Sally lightfoots are good during algae bloom, Mithrax or emeralds during valonia out breaks but they are all crabs and all opportunistic feeders, esp in a confined tank like a 29
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08-09-2001, 01:06 AM
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#3
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reefer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 1,650
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I agree with Doug, you are better off staying away from crabs. Even the micro-hermits I got are getting large.
Drew
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08-09-2001, 11:23 AM
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#4
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI
Posts: 596
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Sorry to say it, but I have to agree with the others. crabs are cool for a little bit, but I have had them attack fish and snails. I prefer a mix of groovey starfish now. It is very cool to feed the tank and watch a brittle star and serpent star come slithering out of the rock for scraps, and an orange fromia constantly cruising the glass. |
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08-09-2001, 11:51 AM
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#5
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reefer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 1,650
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Was that a fromia? I thought I saw an orange knobby. ???
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08-09-2001, 08:40 PM
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#6
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Fort Worth Texas
Posts: 657
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Crabs are neat, but alas, they do have a bad reputation for eating things you would rather they not. Even the Mithrax Emerald has gotten mixed reviews. Though with that species, it seems to be individual rather than species specific. Hermits are fun, but can and will snack on a snail occasionally. I have about 10 or so left in my 125, the others have been wiped out by fighting amongst themselves. Snails and stars are better long term and fun in their own way. The fromia and linkia seem to be the only reef safe ones, though the small sifters in some detrivore kits seem to be fine too. In a smaller tank like yours, maybe a couple of scarlet or blue legs and then focus on snails. I am not sure on the number of stars your system can sustain though.
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08-10-2001, 01:26 AM
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#7
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Reefer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: atlanta
Posts: 233
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Thanks for the input. I will start looking for more starfish, I have one small fromia that I like alot but have had some trouble finding more in the LFS's.
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58 Oceanic, 30 Refugium. 175W 10K Ushio, 2 VHO 50/50's, ASM GX1, high flow.
Zoo collection (27 varieties), shrooms, rose anemone.
Created:February 2000
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