Crab attack.

[badgergoth]

newbie question here:

Reading Tullock's book, he recommends putting in a few hermits and snails to get rid of the algae bloom when starting a tank. So, if crabs are destructive are there alternative grazers to put in? I think I'm right in saying that starfish and urchins will graze, so would you use them instead? Or are they too sensitive for a new tank (once it's been cycled obviously).

Or do you put crabs in at the start, and then just hope they die off before you put potential crab-victims into the tank?

Sorry to derail the thread, if I have.

 

[hdtran]

A few hermits, some extra shells, and snails, in my opinion, are safe. I have found the large Mexican turbo snail to be less subject to attack than the smaller Astreas.

I personally hate to hope to have any animals die off...

Hy

 

[badgergoth]

ahh, ok - thanks.
I wasn't sure about the lifespan of crabs, so I didn't know how long they would be around. Wasn't advocating staring into your tanks and screaming "Die you buggers!" .

Am glad I can have a few in my new (and first) s/w project when I get the kit together.

 

[Baianotang]

"Many of you dont like the crabs. Give me the real evidence"
Well you did give me some...but I cant stop loving them hehe.

 

[danmhippo]

To answer the previous question, I would not suggest starfish, but urchin I have had are quite hardy.

 

[JonnBenny]

I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what the average annual death rate due to rogue crab teams was? I was trying to find some facts online for this, after a discussion with a friend, and couldn't come up with anything. It doesn't even have to be true. Just cite a reliable looking source. She'll buy it, seriously. Help me out.

Remember I need something that says "blank people die every year due to rogue crab related incidents" but instead of 'blank' there should be a number. And maybe a picture of a really menacing crab. Let me know what you dig up.

Thanks