Deadly emerald crab

suver569

suver569

Member
Well, I came home from work last night to find my emerald crab shredding my poor little clown to pieces. I always thought that emerald crabs were algae eaters?
Well, the poor clown was a gonner by the time I got to him. I guess that is why the clowns like to have an anenome to hide in.
Any suggestions on an inexpensive anenome for a clarkii clown?
 
the claw

the claw

Active Member
Has your clown been healthy? Or did he pass on, and the emerald was just taking advantage of a meal?
 
suver569

suver569

Member
The clown was very healthy. It was very weird, I came in from work, walked by and saw the clown swimming normally, about 10 minutes later the crab had him drug under a rock and the clown was for the most part, a gonner. Only thing I can think was that the clown went down to take a little rest on a rock and the crab though he was dead and started chompin. He was a tiny clown though, not even an inch long.
 
buzz

buzz

Active Member
Yes, Emeralds are omnivores, but usually not hunters in the typical sense. More scavengers than anything. And a clown could easily get away before it was grabbed, even after it was grabbed - maybe with a torn fin, but still alive. Fish don't sleep like people do.
I really would lean towards the clown dying and the Emerald scavenging his remains.
It is possible the crab killed it, but IMO, it is very unlikely.
I have had (and heard of) Emeralds tearing at corals, picking at clams, etc., but because they don't move they are easy prey.
Worst any of my Emeralds has done is to pick apart fan worms, and annoy my anemone to the point of it moving.
 
suver569

suver569

Member
Well, I'll probably move him to my fuge when it's done. Kinda bummed me out is all. I was attached to him. Plus the kids were bummed out when "nemo" died :(
 
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