question about gorilla crab

anewguy · 10-02-2009, 05:03 AM

my tank has been up and running for a month now. it looks like i may have gotton a gorilla crab with my live rock. i've only seen it twice, it's incredibly tiny, and quick! so the id is a bit sketchy. now the question is, if it is a gorrilla crab, how big will it get and how long do i have before it becomes a problem? i know the answers are relative to food supply and water quality and such, so i'm only looking for ideas at this point. also, i would like to get emerald crabs as part of my cuc. will they stand a chance against the gorilla?and one more- how big do emeralds get? i've heard conflicting answers.

chipmunkofdoom2 · 10-02-2009, 10:09 AM

I've never had any crabs besides hermits, but many reefkeepers will tell you to stay away at all costs.

The thing about crabs is they're not picky... they'll eat whatever they can get. They don't think about how it will taste, how much it cost you, or even how nutritious it will be. They probably only ask themselves 2 questions, 1. am I hungry? and 2. Is that, or was that thing I want to eat ever at any point alive?

If it's yes to both, they could eat it.

livingword26 · 10-03-2009, 06:36 AM

I didn't see the one in my tank until the tank was 7 months old. I believe it killed 2 fish, as well as all my stomatella snails and bristle worms. I finally caught it with a shot glass with piece of food in it leaned against the rock. It took a week before he went into it. Get it out asap if it is a Gorilla.

newreefguy · 10-04-2009, 06:57 PM

They are generally bad news... they don't always get big.. But they are always aggressive. And will eat what ever they can get into there grasp.
Living is right... I would get it out if possible... I waited until the lights went out and it was totally dark in the tank... use a flash light to find him. Don't put the light directly on it or the crab will bolt....I just used a steel skewer to spear mine with.. Not the most humane thing. But effective.

10-02-2009, 05:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
anewguy Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 18 View Gallery Karma Komment	question about gorilla crab my tank has been up and running for a month now. it looks like i may have gotton a gorilla crab with my live rock. i've only seen it twice, it's incredibly tiny, and quick! so the id is a bit sketchy. now the question is, if it is a gorrilla crab, how big will it get and how long do i have before it becomes a problem? i know the answers are relative to food supply and water quality and such, so i'm only looking for ideas at this point. also, i would like to get emerald crabs as part of my cuc. will they stand a chance against the gorilla?and one more- how big do emeralds get? i've heard conflicting answers.

10-02-2009, 10:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
chipmunkofdoom2 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,309 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: question about gorilla crab I've never had any crabs besides hermits, but many reefkeepers will tell you to stay away at all costs. The thing about crabs is they're not picky... they'll eat whatever they can get. They don't think about how it will taste, how much it cost you, or even how nutritious it will be. They probably only ask themselves 2 questions, 1. am I hungry? and 2. Is that, or was that thing I want to eat ever at any point alive? If it's yes to both, they could eat it. __________________ Will sell my body for ricordea DIY High Power LED Retro!

10-03-2009, 06:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
livingword26 Bryozoan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 55 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: question about gorilla crab I didn't see the one in my tank until the tank was 7 months old. I believe it killed 2 fish, as well as all my stomatella snails and bristle worms. I finally caught it with a shot glass with piece of food in it leaned against the rock. It took a week before he went into it. Get it out asap if it is a Gorilla.

10-04-2009, 06:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
newreefguy Scopas Tang Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: asheville, Nc Posts: 407 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: question about gorilla crab They are generally bad news... they don't always get big.. But they are always aggressive. And will eat what ever they can get into there grasp. Living is right... I would get it out if possible... I waited until the lights went out and it was totally dark in the tank... use a flash light to find him. Don't put the light directly on it or the crab will bolt....I just used a steel skewer to spear mine with.. Not the most humane thing. But effective.

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