niger trigger

[Ricky92]

at first i thought it was a disease that was killing my fish but i now realize its my crabs that are deadly, lfs says theyre stone crab and theyre killing my fish. i only have two left, at first i was reluctant to beleive that the crabs would go after the fish, but i just saw a crab chase one of the living ones up the live rocks and before he coould make it to the free water above the crab grabbed him but the fish managed to get free. my theory is the crabs are all holding eggs(this im sure) and theyre protecting them so when a fish gets near its war. but if they kill one in the process they go ahead and eat it. im thinking about getting a niger trigger because they eat crabs and other crustaceans, plus ive alwaays loved triggers. i have a 55 gal tank, i dont know if he will outgrow it (he will be living in it alone) and if he dose i am willing to sell him or give to a friend.

my question is can i? thnxs

[OceanLover2]

The niger trigger would probably eat the crabs. However, after he is done with the crabs, your tank is too small for him to be happy (IMO). Wouldn't it be easier to just take the crabs out of your aquarium?

[LisaD]

a niger trigger will definitely outgrow your tank, and may NOT eat the crabs. it's not too hard to trap crabs or just pull them out if you can move some rock work. niger triggers get really big. even if you got a small one, it would outgrow the tank pretty quickly - and a small one is more likely to get eaten by the crabs!

[elecbzerk]

How many fish do you/did you have? If crabs have killed your fish, they should go ASAP. At this point I would remove them and take them to an LFS. If you know which rock they are hiding in, remove the rock and pull out the crabs.

[Ricky92]

theres the problem the crabs(i originally thought there were only 6) go into the rocky the second i put put my hand in the water and not just one or two rocks any thats near. plus it appears that the crabs are breeding successfully, because im noticing new babies popping upout of rocks. the babies dont leave the hole their in i guess fear of being eaten.

at this moment i have two of my original 8 damsels left (there was no fighting at all) and these two were wild caught.

understand that i dont think mechanical removal will work but i will try(any suggestions?). the trigger would have been my biological warfare strategy, any ideas on this?

thnx for replies

[elecbzerk]

I know it will be a pain in the rear, but if you know and or find out which rocks they are hiding in, remove the rocks and pull the crabs out. Or, try a FW (RO) dip with the rocks and the crabs should run out in no time. I know it sounds like a chore but IMHO, the best way to insure they are removed.

[StayPuft]

I doubt a Niger would solve your crab problems, maybe if you get a large one. I've had two Nigers and neither one bothered my hermit crabs. Once in a while he'd try to pick at them but I doubt he actually killed any. A huma would do a better job probably.

[DamnPepShrimp]

Your best bet is to set a trap. There is no guarantee any fish will do the trick. The crabs seem smart and would learn to only come out at night while the fish are sleeping. I'd either set a trap or remove all the rocks and flush the crabs out. Is there anything left in the tank that is of importance? You could always copper the tank if nothing else matters, then reseed the tank with a couple pieces of cured live rock, you'd have to start your cycle all over again though.

[anbosu]

I think dipping the rock in freshwater is your best option. That will get the crabs out of the rock and into a bucket where you can dispose of them. If these crabs are big enough to eat and kill your other fish there is no guarantee the niger is immune to that, even if it does eat your crabs.

[Deacon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14868687#post14868687 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anbosu
I think dipping the rock in freshwater is your best option. ...

I agree, get those crabs out of there.