Crabs Are Evil Society

[cracker]

I'm still undecided on the few little blue leg hermits. But I strongly suspect the three I had of visiously murdering to small fish that got beat up in the big tank. And I do like one tiny porcelan crab. All he does is wave his feather like legs like a barnacle.

[reefjitsu]

so folks,,,,lets not get too serious about this,,,have some fun and laugh,,,if you want crabs,,,,im not stopping you~

Just to clarify, my first post was in jest. I was having fun and laughing as I wrote a response from a crab's point of view.

On a serious note, I do wish that everyone was light hearted when it came to thinking about crabs. Sadly, I don't think that many are joking when they say that crabs are evil. This is why I do have somewhat of a problem when someone labels any organism as evil. It leads to flaws in the thinking of some people. It also gives the people who think like that an excuse to do things to animals that they would not otherwise do to an animal.

Also, I truly feel that if a crab has caused problems in your tank, then it is your fault not the crabs. If you accidentally introduced the crab to your tank then I am willing to call that no fault. If you put the crab in there and then it caused problems, well, then it was you and your ignorance that caused the problem and thus commited the evil. The crabs are just innocent pawns caught up in the schemes of humans trying to play God.

Dang, I started out light hearted, and I was wanting to end that way. Now that I have thought about it, I guess it really does bother me. Crabs are not evil, and it isn't right that every time they are mentioned someone pops up and calls them evil. Usually this is followed by some suggestions for their torture and death. I guess I would rather see a "Crab-free Reef Society" or a "Crabs Don't Belong in Reefs Club" instead of them being labeled as evil.

[Cougra]

Also, I truly feel that if a crab has caused problems in your tank, then it is your fault not the crabs. If you accidentally introduced the crab to your tank then I am willing to call that no fault. If you put the crab in there and then it caused problems, well, then it was you and your ignorance that caused the problem and thus commited the evil. The crabs are just innocent pawns caught up in the schemes of humans trying to play God.

I agree with this mentality completely. I have my tank crab free not because I believe there is anything wrong with crabs, but because I don't feel they are compatible with what I want in my system.

[fidojoe]

I don't have crabs in my tank simply because my snails do a better job IMO, and I prefer that they live. I did have a large zebra hermit divebomb one of my clowns too, but fortunately I saw what he was doing and scared my clown out of the way.

I'm a member simply because its fun to say "Crabs are EVIL!!!" (and I don't have crabs )

[Witfull]

Crabs are not evil, and it isn't right that every time they are mentioned someone pops up and calls them evil.

im not the smartest apple in the basket,,,but i think you mean me,,,,guess ill just stop then,,,,

[Woodstock]

Relaaax... This is a justifiable club! Although crabs are not morally sinful, they are by definition "Evil" as they 'do harm' (see def 3a). Hopefully, this CAE society will shed that light to other unsuspecting reefers and keep them from making the mistake of adding crabs to their tank. I am not a member only because I like my scarlet hermits

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/evil

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=400 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>evil

5 entries found for evil.
To select an entry, click on it.
Main Entry: <SUP>1</SUP>evil
Pronunciation: <TT>'E-v&l, British often and US also 'E-(")vil</TT>
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): evil·er or evil·ler; evil·est or evil·lest
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English yfel; akin to Old High German ubil evil
1 a : morally reprehensible : SINFUL, WICKED <an evil impulse> b : arising from actual or imputed bad character or conduct <a man of evil reputation>
2 a archaic : INFERIOR b : causing discomfort or repulsion : OFFENSIVE <an evil odor> c : DISAGREEABLE <woke late and in an evil temper>
3 a : causing harm : PERNICIOUS <the evil institution of slavery> b : marked by misfortune : UNLUCKY
- evil adverb, archaic
- evil·ly /<TT>-(l)E</TT>/ adverb
- evil·ness /<TT>-n&s</TT>/ noun
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[lcstorc]

How about crabs are evil to snails?
That's why mine went back to the lfs. Now they can find homes with others who do not have nice big snails with apparently attractive to hermit crab shells.
I agree with Woodstock above. I always read it as a lighthearted way of saying you need to be cautious about adding crabw to your reef. Of course we should be cautious about adding anything, but most places will sell you a bunch of hermits etc and send you on your way. Then you are left to wonder who is doing all the damage until you finally witness it and find the culprit who is of course just doing what crabs do.
Peace
Lynn

[fidojoe]

Something interesting to point out~

In the natural reefs, you will rarely find several dozen crabs grouped together in an area as small as our tanks. You will generally find one or two in an area as large as our tanks (depending on tank size obviously).

So basically, one or two crabs is actually quite a bit, and when people add 20 hermits, 2 emeralds or something like that to a 90ish gallon tank, its no wonder people have issues with them.

Another reason I don't have crabs... their beady eyes and claws freak me out!

[Charlie97L]

i personally have 2 scarlet hermits in my tank, and i was totally joking about the crunch thing... haha. but i wouldn't put any more in. those two are enough.

[Vanquish]

As a member, allow me to add a few words...

Though the namesake of the society suggests that all crabs are evil, it aint the initial intention of Witty... it was all done in good fun... of coz there are the hermits and emeralds that does a great job in the reef tank, but I tink the emphasis is on the devious ones that attacks your little fishes and chew on your SPS corals...

Cheers!

[fidojoe]

I agree. I like porcelain crabs, they are pretty cool with their little waving fans!

[billyr98]

Good Fun and Witfull likes to eat them too!!!!!!!

[cracker]

Originally Posted by fidojoe

Another reason I don't have crabs... their beady eyes and claws freak me out!

I'm with Fidojoe They just look evil!

[reefjitsu]

I guess that I should further clarify my position and offer an apology. First, I would like to apologize for being a joykill. It seems like I am always putting myself in the position of being the only rain cloud on an otherwise beautiful day. Sorry.

im not the smartest apple in the basket,,,but i think you mean me,,,,guess ill just stop then,,,,

No Wit, I wasn't calling you out on that. I was speaking generally. You are the ringleader, but you aren't the only one doing it. This crabs are evil stuff is not just limited to this site or even the internet. People on other sites, even in the LFS are chiming in with CAE. You might have started this, but it has grown beyond you and your known acolytes. Please don't stop your crusade against crabs in reef tanks. I just wanted to share my opinion, not stop the CAE society. The truth be told, I enjoy the banter you have with folks.

Though the namesake of the society suggests that all crabs are evil, it aint the initial intention of Witty... it was all done in good fun...

I realize that this is done mostly in good fun. I have read Wit's manifesto and I pretty much agree with it all. My fears are two fold: 1) Some people don't get it, and do take this seriously. These are the same people who think snakes and other non-cuddlies truly are evil. These people are not just using a figure of speech and scare me. 2) As I alluded to in a previous post, labeling them as evil leads to flaws in the thinking of some people (see fear #1). Flawed thinking leads to all sorts of other dilemas.

I did notice that at least one person has changed to the "Crabs Don't Belong in My Reef Society" that is pretty cool. You made me smile.

Now that I have made two ranting posts to try and clarify my opinion, I will do what I should have done in the first place. I will hold my tongue (or fingers) and refrain from any further comment on this thread.

[Barcochris]

Witt I would like to be a memeber of the CARES PLEASe