Emerald Green Crabs
If you want to watch your emerald crab in action i recommend patience as you scan the aquascape.
Emerald green crabs. At the end of the legs they have pretty strong points. Dark green with hairy legs and built like a tank the emerald crab is a very affordable scavenger which can be added to your reef aquarium. The emerald crabs have a bright green emerald color.
The emerald crab mithraculus sculptus is a quiet shy and fun to watch member of the reef clean up crew cuc. The emerald green crab is always a favourite possibly because of its brialliant color and muscular appearance yet usually peaceful disposition. As the name implies the emerald crab is green but unlike the name this crab does not shine like a jewel.
Emerald crabs have also been known to claim a small area in the aquarium as their own and will try to chase away other emerald crabs from their spot. Their body is flat and compact with hairy legs. If they are starving they may go after snails smaller fish and even polyps.
This is a small species of crab normally getting no. Mithraculus sculptus the green clinging crab or emerald crab is a species of crab in the family majidae it is a dark green colour and is found in tropical waters in the caribbean sea it is sometimes kept in reef aquaria. Bubble algae can grow under even optimal water conditions and this crab is supposed to help.
The body of the crab is almost flat allowing it to fit into tight spaces. All crabs are opportunistic feeders so if left very hungary may try to feed on items that are not usually on the menu. The emerald crab is most commonly known for its use in the marine aquarium to consume bubble algae and other types of nuisance algae.
Generally as long as you food sources waste algae and food from an established tank they should not bother any fish or inverts in the tank. The emerald crab mithrax sculptus is a saltwater invertebrate that is often used as part of a clean up crew in marine fish tanks. Love these little guys however one of mine turned out to be a monster in size after a recent.
In the wild they prevent them from being carried away by the current. Video about my thoughts opinion on the good ole emerald crabs. Rather the crab is perfectly camouflaged to blend in with the rockwork.
As a general rule of thumb crabs in general cannot be considered 100 reef safe however the emerald crab is just about as close as you can come to owning a crab in your reef aquarium and resting easy that all your other livestock are safe. The appearance of the emerald crab is a characteristic flat shiny emerald green shell and hairy legs the emerald crab also has cupped claws that allow it to easily pull algae from rocks and other surfaces. Emerald green crabs are omnivores and should be provided with a selection of meaty.
Emerald crabs are popular because they help keep the tank clean and have been reported to eat bubble algae velonia sp.
