Are emerald crabs reef safe?

I have these crabs and every now and then I see them picking at the polyps...anyone have this problem

 

Yes Emeralds are known for coral eating. It's often hit or miss with those guys. Just never know

 

I always found if there is not a lot of algae in the tank you should supplement feeding them. I used the sinking algae wafers, Seem if they're well fed they're less like to go rogue and eat corals. JMI They also like nori sheets.

 

My opinion is they are too much of a risk.

 

I think it's too risky. My husband keeps trying to get one though. *shakes head sadly* Oh yeah, and he added a green bt anemone to the tank today. I can't wait to move back home to veto stuff!

 

I have never had any issue with them eating corals.

 

I think all crabs are risky to some degree, but they're just so much fun to watch!

 

I got 2 crabs and I haven't seen shell or claw of either one, hahaha!

 

It's really a 50/50 gamble. Sometimes you'll get a good one that will attack your bubble algae and other times you'll get one who completely ignores the bubble algae and takes to coral nipping. I've had both so it all depends on the amount of risk/reward you're willing to gamble on. I do think like someone else has said that it depends on how much of a food source you have for them...if they are fat and happy they should leave your corals alone, if they have to forage for food they tend to be opportunistic and will snack on whichever food source (including corals) is more plentiful and easy to get at.