What is an aglae crab?

[Bloat]

Called my lfs and asked for some clean up snails and what nots and they said they have an algae crab . I did a google on them and cant find anything on them does anybody have an Idea what they are.
Thanks
Scott

[ruhspolostar]

Theres a 99.9% chance they are talking about the sally light foot crab, if it has yellow lining, it is, and don't get it!!!

I can't stress this to you enough stick with snails and some hermits, do not get a sally light foot crab you will regret, as I do , it attacked and killed everything it could

-just ask Austin he had the same problem......

-good luck

-#8

-ADAM

[ruhspolostar]

-hope this helps

[Mrs Smith]

They might also be talking about a mithrax crab...

And don't get a sally - although I don't think that's a very good pic of one. (No offense ruhspolostar). Not that I could find a better pic...

Danielle

[ruhspolostar]

No Offense taken Danielle

I looked for a pic for 10mins couldn't find one I liked either

-Adam

[tkjeffrey]

All crabs are the spawn of the underworld, if you ask me. I would just stick with snails. I had a tank covered in algae, got a good snail cleanup crew and now it is spotless. This is just my opinion though some people have had no bad experiences with crabs

[ruhspolostar]

-darn those people with good luck

[Bloat]

thanks thats the crab that I saw there and thought it was it should I also stay away from hermit crabs or are they ok.
other wise all they have is turbo snails at $2.00 a pop I think that is pretty high.

Thanks for your help
Scott

[ruhspolostar]

if thats the crab don't get it........

as for hermits, they are okay as long as you keep a fresh supply of shells for them to choose from, if not they will turn on eachother, i haven't had any problems with mine....

-good luck

[Geoff]

i am also one that agrees that crabs are not to be trusted if you have snails. if you can find a hermit crab that can climb glass then i would say go with a snail-less algae cleanup crew.

$2 is a little high for turbo snails, unless they are really big. which is a possibility. those big ones are great if you have well positioned LR and glued down corals. they are rather clumbsy, but real good at eating algae. they are not able to flip themselves back over if they fall on their backs, so snail patrol is a must. their are all kinds of snails most are about a dollar each. ceriths, nassarious, trochus, astrea, and margarita are the most common. they all have their favorite algaes and surface from which to feed off of.

hermits are generally opportunistic. if given the chance they will eat something else besides algae if given the chance. hermits also have to get thier shells from somewhere. they will kill snails for a bigger home, or each other if a smaller hermit is carrying a bigger shell. snails grow their own.

G~

[Bloat]

Thanks folks will stay away from the crabs. Really want some bumble bee snails cant find em around here My have to go deeper into big city.

Scott

[kram138]

Bumble bee snails are my pick for best snail. Depending on the size of your tank, I find turbos, esp mexican, and even astreas to be like little bulldozers. Unless things are locked down tight, they will find a way to rearrange your tank. Bumble bees stay relatively small and they look cool too which is not that important in a snail but if you got it, flaunt it.

If you do want to get a few hermits, try and get the blue legs. They too remain relatively small and are not as aggressive as some of the others.

You'll probably be able to find a good deal for a clean-up crew online.

[tkjeffrey]

I have found the dwarf red legs to be less mean in my experience and as far as snails go nassirus snails have my vote because they keep the sandbed stirred up and oxygenated and some astreas and bumble bees for the rockwork. Just my opinion though.

[tkjeffrey]

Come to think about it, every snail has a particular thing that they do well at, be it diatoms or hair algae etc.... Bumble bees are the coolest looking and it seems though if I had only astrea and nassirus snails my tank would still look good though.

[ruhspolostar]

red foot moon snails, fast strong and continually working, good for larger systems

imo