Reef inverts

steven11 · Feb 26, 2007

I was wondering how reef safe these guys are. I was looking at the purple lobsters, porcelian and boxing crabs. Saltwater

Also, is maiden's hair good, bad or indifferent?

Thanks!

Herefishyfishy · Feb 26, 2007

I have a purple lobster my son bought for a birthday gift 4 years ago hiding in my reef. Very rarely see it, but find it's old carapace and tail shell when it sheds.

saltwater newbe · Feb 26, 2007

i have a CBS in my tank and he seems to be doing really well
he gets along well with my sailfin and yellow tangs

steven11 · Feb 27, 2007

What other types of crabs are there that are reef safe?

RocketScientist · Feb 27, 2007

Steven,

I have a pom pom crab (or boxing crab) and he does just great in my tank. He only shows himself from time to time and like mike I definetly see his old carapace. Just make sure you have friendly fish!

Also, very cute and cool how they hold thier little anenomes!

It's very funny when I've seen one of my chromis just swim near it and the little fella turns into a cheer leader!

Herefishyfishy · Feb 27, 2007

Most crabs are not desirable if you have Zoas and or snails. Emeralds, banded acro crabs are usually safe and many enjoy pom-poms. If your tank is well fed, less of a problem. If food is scarce, they predate... Shrimps are always cool.

jezzeaepi · Feb 27, 2007

Porcelain crabs are sweet. They are completly reef safe and wave around their little nets like annenome crabs. Unlike annenome crabs however, they come in blue, red and purple. When I first recieved my LR I had about 8 of them hitch hike in. Sadly 4 were killed by this other hitchiking crab =\ Its a crab eat crab world.

RocketScientist · Feb 27, 2007

I was wondering about them seeing that they are filter feeders. Do you know what other crab preyed upon them?

jezzeaepi · Feb 27, 2007

I had a evil crab that hitch hiked in on my LR. You wouldnt find it in a home aquarium, it was a food crab =P(stone crab from the gulf) He ate a starfish too, he was vicous! Luckily I got him out before he ate everything good that came with the rock. The porcelain crabs however are good tank mates. They dont have the ability to hurt anything, their claws are too weak.