Spotfeeding LPS with a cleanup crew??

[mkbtank]

so..... can it be done??

Currently I have 20+ emerald crabs in my 180 (Had a major algae issue last year). Also some blue leg hermits and some nassarius snails.

I have a bunch of recently aquired acans (A few oldies as well) and a super nice scoly that I like to spot feed. only.... I have to stand guard for about 10 minutes and chase the crabs off so they don't steal the food from the corals.

I know that I should probably get rid of the crabs, since they are opportunistic. Also just because they have been fine so far doesn't mean that they won't tear up my corals one day looking for food (or making them food)

But... what do the LPS heavyweights do? I can't be the first person to run into this issue.

Thanks for your input!

[xJake]

I just don't bother keeping crabs of any sort. They always become more of a hassle than a help. They kill my snails, they steal my corals' food, and they fight with each other; they're not exactly the ideal aquarium resident.

[mkbtank]

I agree, but what now?

[LedZep fan2]

Cut a 2-liter bottle in half, and make a hole in the bottum of it. Then put the bottle over the coral and drop food in through the hole using a syringe. The bottle can be smaller if you want it to be.

[suppressivefire]

When I'm feeding my rare echinos I just stay till there done eating, all the while bating my cleaner shrimp away lol.

[Charlie Davidson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14381628#post14381628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by suppressivefire
When I'm feeding my rare echinos I just stay till there done eating, all the while bating my cleaner shrimp away lol.

too funny.. Dang, i thought i was only one ;)

[All Delight]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14381628#post14381628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by suppressivefire
When I'm feeding my rare echinos I just stay till there done eating, all the while bating my cleaner shrimp away lol.

I used to do that, then I just got rid of the cleaner shrimp.

[Charlie Davidson]

Shotgun?

[mkbtank]

I used to drop food, then put a clear mug over my chalice, but now i have way too many lps for that. I think I am going to try to catch and evict the crabs.

[pwoller]

I just give the shrimp a good flick, that seems to get my point across. No really, I think I might have to get rid of the shrimp, they learned to steal from my LPS.

[bandr1002]

i used to have two cleaner shrimp and they never even touched a fish to clean it. just upgraded my tank and i only have coral for another two months or so while i do my research on what i really want. i can tell you this though.... NO CLEANER SHRIMP FOR ME

all they did was steal meals from my LPS LOL

[swampy42]

I use a Turkey baster to shoot air at my cleaner shrimp. That will usually keep him hidden for a bit. But he can be a pain as I've seen him open up my Dendro's mouth and pull out digested food.

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14383158#post14383158 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by All Delight
I used to do that, then I just got rid of the cleaner shrimp.

+1