emerald crab

[jmike50]

I just acquired one of these and it was marked reef safe? well after further investigation, i am getting a feeling it is not? during acclimation i found this out and put it in the tank with my camel shrimp and condys. is all this true? thanks mike

[containerman1]

I have had Emeralds in my Reef for a couple years and I just noticed 2 of them like LE Zoas and were actually pulling the tops off and then moving on. I just switched them to a QT tank and thats were they will live. I have also seen them pull smaller crabs out for food.
I feed daily so they must have liked Blue leg and Scarlet hermits a little better than shrimp

[Acroholic]

IME, when Emeralds are small they are relatively reef safe, but when they get some size on them they are your average crabs, opportunistic feeders that don't discriminate in what they take. I think larger ones will eat fish or shrimp if they can kill them. I have also seen Emeralds cut the tips of of Euphyllias. Haven't seen, but have read reports of them damaging Zoas as well.

Many folks buy them to eat Valonia (bubble algae). This is hit or miss at best, IME. I ended up pulling mine from my tanks when they got big. Too risky, IMO.

[jmike50]

I think where I put this he will stay! thanks everyone

[Oil_Fan]

They say they're reef safe but what they should say is 'with caution'. I've had them off and on over the years. What I did notice is that they loved my yellow polyps I had back them.

[Frantz]

I've had big ones and they didn't bother anything but I agree they are opportunity feeders. If your tank is "too clean" you may have trouble with em.