trapping hitchhiker crabs

[hondo]

What are the best ways of catching hitchhiker crabs? Are there effective traps on the market? Do these traps work even if you have other shrimp and emeralds in your tank. I have two in my reef one is tiny the other has grown to about 1/2 inch across. They both look like emeralds and have not done any damage but I do not trust them and want to remove them.

 

[kelly]

Hondo,
There are few things that you can try. One put a small glass at a 45 degree angle and put some food in it, making sure a part of the glass is touching the rock, or atleast have a way for the crab to get in to it. They should smell the food, and go after it. (The crab should not be able to climb out)
You could also cut the top off of a plastic pop bottle, and put it in the bottom of the bottle, top side down. Again lean it against the rocks with some food in it. The crab entering it will not be able to climb out the top if it is about 1" from the bottom. If you need a picture of it, let me know.
good luck.
kelly@pathway.net

 

[maxx]

Hondo, Kellys right about the bottle idea. I just wanted to add, that it might catch other crabs, shrimp, etc. But all you have to do is pick out the ones you want in your tank and flush the others.

 

[duckie]

i agree with kelly you might want to try it with the lights out thats when most crabs are active