Hitchhiker Crab

[eliashickman]

My tank is about 1 week old and this small crab crawled out of one of the rocks. I was wondering what he would eat??? I would like to keep him alive for as long as possible.

 

[WRASSER]

they pretty much eat anything. can you post a picture for all to see :?:

 

[brandonberry]

If it is the common type of gorrilla crab that normally hitchhikes in, they can be a real pain. They move rocks, eat anemones, steal frags, etc. I absolutely hate them with a passion.

 

[eliashickman]

I googled "What do crabs eat?" and wiki answers gave me a breakdown of what they eat. ---Basically anything, as Wrasser said.

I don't think he will be a pest. He burried himself in the substrate for a while then moved back to his cave, the whereabouts of which I know not.
It would be really great if he could eat some of the micro algae that has began to grow on my rocks as a result of the ammonia cycling process.

 

[metalac]

It would be really great if he could eat some of the micro algae that has began to grow on my rocks as a result of the ammonia cycling process.

That's what they should be doing. That's why people get those cleaner packs, which include some crabs.

 

[mr_X]

i think you are better off removing him and giving an emerald crab or porcelain crab a try. they are thought to be more "reef safe" than the gorilla crab.
also, red leg hermits are popular.

 

[Jamie Tuck and son Devin]

i had a hitch hiker stone crab once in my aqua pod and my uncle said it was a pest until my blue hermit crab killed it

 

[eliashickman]

Well although this thread is a little old I thought I would post an update.
The crab disappeared for two months. Then one of my Anthias went missing, then a week later the other. I started pulling out rocks looking for it, because my rocks have many narrow crevices inside them big enough for a fish. When I found him, of course dead, I freaked out because I have just installed a $200 R/O system and couldn't believe it to be the water conditions. When I removed the carcass one whole side was shredded a result of the crab. Finally removing the crab I flushed him down the toilet and everyone seems pretty content now.

Although I need to post some questions about SeaChem products, but not in this thread obviously.