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View Full Version : I've got crabs! help!


Parrotfish100
09/19/2010, 09:37 PM
Lol, I have some pest crabs. Any tips on how to get rid of them without completely deconstructing my rock?

starmanres
09/19/2010, 10:05 PM
I had success by taking a silverside and putting it into a tall drinking glass. I pinned it to the bottom with a small piece of live rock and leaned it against my rockface. Mine was a large plastic glass.

The crabs crawl in, usually at night, and the sides of the glass are slippery so their little peg legs can't get any traction.

I caught 3 over a two night hunt in my tank.

Parrotfish100
09/19/2010, 11:35 PM
I had success by taking a silverside and putting it into a tall drinking glass. I pinned it to the bottom with a small piece of live rock and leaned it against my rockface. Mine was a large plastic glass.

The crabs crawl in, usually at night, and the sides of the glass are slippery so their little peg legs can't get any traction.

I caught 3 over a two night hunt in my tank.


That sounds great, I'll try that ASAP. Thanks!

SwampyBill
09/20/2010, 12:37 AM
Are they furry hideous looking gorilla crabs, or porcelain crabs? #1=bad; #2=good & reef safe.

OneReef
09/20/2010, 07:02 AM
I had success by taking a silverside and putting it into a tall drinking glass. I pinned it to the bottom with a small piece of live rock and leaned it against my rockface. Mine was a large plastic glass.

The crabs crawl in, usually at night, and the sides of the glass are slippery so their little peg legs can't get any traction.

I caught 3 over a two night hunt in my tank.


This works great. I have done it many times over the years and caught alot of rogue crabs.

Parrotfish100
09/20/2010, 12:23 PM
Are they furry hideous looking gorilla crabs, or porcelain crabs? #1=bad; #2=good & reef safe.

Furry hideous-looking gorilla crabs:hmm3:

hoffy02
09/20/2010, 03:18 PM
Shave one side, light the other side on fire and ..... Oh wait.. Nevermind

Parrotfish100
09/21/2010, 01:41 AM
My LFS didn't have silversides but I went to the grocery store and asked for a single raw shrimp. The guy kinda looked at me weird, wrapped one up and gave it to me free lol :D

I just put it in the tank, turned off the lights and I already got one within 20 mins! I turned on the lights and saw 2 more crabs cringe back into the rock. I'll see if I get those little buggers tomorrow morning. And good god are they ugly! O-o

OneReef
09/21/2010, 06:55 AM
I just use pellet food in my glasses

Parrotfish100
09/21/2010, 03:04 PM
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs610.snc4/59049_163019077047040_100000168469224_602162_6289176_n.jpg

That's the night's catch. Trying again tonight cause I saw at least 2 others that didn't take the bait, or the other glass I set up. God these things are creepy looking:hmm3:

DZs
09/21/2010, 03:12 PM
Is that a teddy bear crab?

nissannx
09/21/2010, 03:26 PM
it is a teddy bear crab

DZs
09/21/2010, 03:34 PM
Thanks, I wasn't sure if it was or not.

Sure doesn't look cute and cuddly. LOL I think I'll stick to stuffed teddy bears.

Parrotfish100
09/21/2010, 04:38 PM
Didn't get it in the picture but they have nasty little white claws too

DZs
09/21/2010, 05:34 PM
And people say black claws are bad. Guess it depends on the critter.... LOL

reefaroni
09/21/2010, 10:09 PM
holy freaking devil crab!

starmanres - that is an awesome trap idea, I'll have to try it tonight... I keep seeing the striped legs of one hiding my rocks and I have no idea what kind he is. Probably needs to go

Parrotfish100
09/22/2010, 01:43 PM
And people say black claws are bad. Guess it depends on the critter.... LOL

Yup, night #2 I caught 3 black-claws

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs319.ash2/59936_163273453688269_100000168469224_603824_7888490_n.jpg

You can barely see the tiny one in the back. This time I set up 3 traps, one on each of my base rocks. One or 2 more nights and I should be rid of these things.

DZs
09/22/2010, 02:47 PM
You are one fine crab catcher!

The other day, I found a molt from a 1/2" baby orange crab with black claws. Must have snuck in on a 21lb rock I added to my tank recently. Which now has me worried since I have pom poms and sexy shrimps in my tank.

ingtar_shinowa
09/22/2010, 07:32 PM
wow, i have never used base rock, but outta 100+ lbs i never got a crab hitchhiking.

nissannx
09/22/2010, 08:52 PM
bad luck on bad hitchhiking crabs

Parrotfish100
09/22/2010, 08:55 PM
Lol yeah, beautiful rock, but I happened to pick the pieces with crabs :P If I catch any more I'm taking them to my LFS to feed to their triggers and puffers