teddy bear crab

[jrhein]

I have a brown fuzzy crab in my acro colony. I'm pretty sure they are not good for the coral. Should I remove it from the tank?

[discuspro]

I think they are the one's you don't want but don't take my word for it. Check this link out:

http://www.reeflounge.com/archive/index.php/t-1221.html

[jrhein]

No mine is real fuzzy and has blue eyes. He also sits there and pics at looks like he is picking at the polyps. I wouldn't think that is good.

[discuspro]

I did have one before but he disappeared, maybe eaten by something. So I never saw what bad or good it would have done. Take a pic if you can. I do remember looking up that crab when I saw mine and I'm pretty sure what I always found was that it was an unfavorable crab. I'm sure the polyps where ever he stands on the coral closes up but if he's really eating it would be hard to tell unless you watch him like a hawk. Do you have any small fish that like to perch on coral? If so they might say bye bye if they touch his precious coral.

[Instar]

A fuzzy crab in the acro as you describe is a parasitic crab. They mascarade as acro crabs. It will kill parts of the corals in your tank. I crush them with needle nose pliers and take them out. They do a lot of damage at night. Positive - remove it from your tank immediately.

[jrhein]

Thanks Larry,


I love it when you talk like that. :)


Such a wealth of knowledge.


Thanks