FYI about Chocolate chip star/emerald crab

sduerk

Member
Just to follow up on my earlier post and to just throw this info out there. I caught my emerald crab munching on my chocolate chip starfish the other day. I knew that something was taking chunks out of him....now I know who.
 
S

sinner's girl

Guest
We got a clean up crew and the next day my choc. chip's leg was gone. I asked and was told most likely it was the Sally Lightfoot. Thanks for that info, If I get another choc. chip in the future i'll make sure not to have a emerald crab. (or any for that matter)
 

adrian

Active Member
I wouldnt be so quick to point the finger at your crab(s), it's a possiblity that the crab(s) may be ressponsible, but keep in mind that crabs are scavengers and if your star was dead or dying the crabs are bound to scanvenge its remains. Were these stars new additions? Were they being fed? Is there any water quality issues? Were they properly acclimated? HTH
 

alianated

Member
I agree with Adrian.. I think you guys are judging the crabs a bit prematurely.
Much like you and me, those crabs are real good judges of a creature's health. People can usually tell if someone is sick by their watery eyes, sniffing, coughing, red nose, etc etc...
So can crabs. And if the starfish wasnt doing so hot, they probably took advantage of it. But in my experience, emeralds are opportunists, not really murderers. If they attack something like that, usually whatever they attacked was well on its way to dying anyway.
alianated
 
S

sinner's girl

Guest
The Choc. Chip was still alive when it became minus a leg (i know it was still alive after cuz it moved), but it's possible, it was dying or sick.
Were these stars new additions? no, not my choc. chip. My Choc. Chip star had been in the tank, it was not one of my new additions...(the other two stars which are doing fine are new)
Were they being fed? My choc. chip or the crab? only had the crab a day or so before the choc. chips leg was gone, we'll feed the crabs once they finish cleaning up the tank. (the crab was eatting lots of stuff from the rocks) my choc. chip got fed shrimp sometimes and cleaned the glass, rocks and cc.
Is there any water quality issues? nope, had perfect water.
Were they properly acclimated? The crabs? yes, The choc. chip, yes when it was added to the tank awhile back it was added correctly.
If it wasn't the Crab then who was it? I added a clean up crew a not long before the missing leg. I asked on the board and was told most likly it was the Sally Lightfoot. If it was not then the Sally Lightfoot then I'm sorry for blaming it.
 
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