Bubble Algae
- Thread starter usinkit
- Start date
sgdeb
Member
Just be warned... I employed 2 emeralds in my 45 for the same reason: bubble algae! It was incredible how quickly these emeralds got the bubble algae under control! In fact, within a couple months, the tank was COMPLETELY RID of the algae. (Grant it, I did suck a couple out when I could get them without popping them, with the turkey baster; but most credit goes to the emeralds...)
However, the emeralds became quite active -- even during the day. They would wave the pinchers whenever the fish were being fed, or even swimming closely to them... One morning I awoke to a 1 finned toby puffer... Blasted emerald grabbed the fin right off the fish... (Perhaps because it was a slower fish...?)
Fortunately, the fish was healthy and able to recover; the emeralds found their new home at the LFS...
All said, they are GREAT bubble algae eaters!
However, the emeralds became quite active -- even during the day. They would wave the pinchers whenever the fish were being fed, or even swimming closely to them... One morning I awoke to a 1 finned toby puffer... Blasted emerald grabbed the fin right off the fish... (Perhaps because it was a slower fish...?)
Fortunately, the fish was healthy and able to recover; the emeralds found their new home at the LFS...
All said, they are GREAT bubble algae eaters!
sgdeb
Member
Don't misunderstand... I LOVED the emeralds --- there was so much character and cool activity.... They just got too "cocky" and my ST fish aren't really FAST!!! They may be fine for you....
Altho, I can say that many experts feel CRABS ARE CRABS and will always revert to their absolute evil sides! (That's silly.) But - as great as my emeralds were, I can't have them again - cuz clowns, tobies, hawks --- they are all my favorites and all very slow!
Altho, I can say that many experts feel CRABS ARE CRABS and will always revert to their absolute evil sides! (That's silly.) But - as great as my emeralds were, I can't have them again - cuz clowns, tobies, hawks --- they are all my favorites and all very slow!
fallensynner
Member
i had a 180g reef tank and i had millions of emerald crabs(not literally) and i had bubble algae popping up on a consistent bases. after thinking about it i only had the bubble algae in the top middle of the tank. the crabs usually were everywhere but there. they came by put they werent there always. not sure maybe tank to big for them to eat all it. i usually took all the bubble algae from the center letting it grow to about 1/2" - 3/4" keeping an eye out for them several times a day.
mr_x
Active Member
i have many emeralds in my frag tanks and main display, and also have alot of bubble algae that i must remove manually regularly. they don't touch it. they also don't touch any of my fish or corals. i guess it's up to the individual crab
i don't see any bubble algae in the main display, so, who knows.
i don't see any bubble algae in the main display, so, who knows.
thrilljunky
Member
We got our crab for the same reason. Bubble algae. I couldn't PAY that crab to go anywhere near the stuff. But the turkey baster method worked perfectly! He is a cute little guy though.