A few cute PomPom Crab photos

[Brie]

Not the greatest, but pretty good for being shot through glass, and a scratched up critter keeper. lol.

 

[SpecialTang]

Are PomPom Crabs reef safe?

 

[Romewhip]

Fantastic shots as always, those little guys are so neat!

 

[returnofsid]

Are PomPom Crabs reef safe?

Completely reef safe, with the exception that their tiny anemones could possibly cause minor damage, if the crab should make it's home in a coral, or spend a lot of time in or on a coral.

Brie, how much are these guys? How many do you have?

 

[Cwazy Clown]

Those are anems? is it like a symbiotic relationship between 2 organisms or.....

 

[declivis]

Those are anems? is it like a symbiotic relationship between 2 organisms or.....

yes it is a symbiotic relationship, the real question is which flavor.....maybe mutualism? i don't really know how much the anemone benefits in the relationship. the crab uses the anemone to swab the substrate/rock for organic matter. i would think the anemone gets some food this way.....but it must be a pretty rough ride...........

 

[returnofsid]

yes it is a symbiotic relationship, the real question is which flavor.....maybe mutualism? i don't really know how much the anemone benefits in the relationship. the crab uses the anemone to swab the substrate/rock for organic matter. i would think the anemone gets some food this way.....but it must be a pretty rough ride...........

The anemones are also used for protection. When a predator approaches the crab, it'll raise the anemone up, to protect itself. What's really cool is watching the crab release the anemone, set them down, and eat or molt. Then when done, it picks the anemones back up and is on it's way.

 

[estoniangirl]

how much are those? pretty weird looking love it....

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Yeah they sway them around during feeding time it's pretty fun to watch. I loved mine but they are very nocturnal which is a shame since they are so gorgeous. I've heard that if they lose a nem on one of their claws they will frag their other one and replace it. Best kept in a very small nano imo if you ever want to see them, or watch for them under moonlights.