Do you really need emeral crabs

[quads4_lif]

I "had" this really neat looking little red crab never did get an ID but I woke up this morning and he was torn to shreads I am guessing my my emerald crab because he is the only one in the tank that is big enough to do any damage to this guy only green chromis's in the tank. SO do I really need an emerald because I liked this little red one because he was all over the tank and I only get to see the emeral every now and again.
Here was my little red crab

 

[mrdc]

No you don't need them. My emeralds stay out and though I blame them for some missing inhabitants, I have never see them hurt anything. Recently I thought they killed my blue boxer and golder boxer since I have not seen them in a month after introducing them in the tank. Well the other night I was shining the light and found the blue boxer alive. Still have not seen the golden but there is hope.
That red crab looks nice. Are you sure it hasn't molted?

 

[judyk]

Is it possible your crab molted?

 

[dragonboy]

I think emerald crabs are a good addition to the tank cause they help eat hair and bubble algae I think they do a better job of cleaning than most crabs.

 

[mr.125]

Emerald crabs are for the most part herbavores. I doubt that your emerald killed that crab.
As judyk asked; is it possible your crab molted and is hiding??

 

[quads4_lif]

ok I will keep a look out but there are legs and I found his whole body that looked like it was torn in half and it was still very red for being a molt

 

[keleighr]

i had one of those little crabs
we called him Mr> Crabs from Spongebobe Squarepants.
i know when my cleaner shrimp molts their coloring on the shell stays the same as when they are normal.
So if you have a lot of rock with tiny crevices he may be hiding
we didn't see Mr. Crabs weeks at a time.

 

[granny]

I Like Your Red Crab-he Looks Like A Hawaiin Strawberry-saw One On The Web The Other Day When I Was Trying To Id My Own Little Hitchhiker-though Mine Is Eating My Coraline And Not So Welcome.
No, You Do Not Need An Emerald Crab-there Are Snails And Shrimp That Do A Great Job On Algae And Detritus If That Is Why You Have Him.
Usually We Just Like Diversity In Our Tanks So Add Little Crabs For Interest.

 

[quads4_lif]

no I just got him because I like crabs and I have heard that they can be benificial to your tank I would like several different species.