Coral eating crab?

I got an emerald crab to get rid of some GHA I had. Now that the GHA is gone he has been picking at one of my acans to the point that they are shrunk down to the skeleton. I have seen him trying to drag the frag around the tank too. Any one ever seen this behavior?

John

 

I have heard of them moving frags to close the entrance to their den when they are going to molt.

 

I have not seen the behavior, but honestly, it does not surprise me. Crabs are some of the most interesting of creatures in a reef tank. And annoying at times. Each seems to have it's own agenda. So keep an eye on it and there may be a time when you flat out may want to trade for a new one and see what that one does.

I have a large hermit crab in my tank that has been causing mischief since I got it almost a year ago. At one time, I banished it to my nano, where it stayed in time out for a month, then reintroduced it to the main DT. So far it has been a good boy. Crabby time out does work......

 

Stepho, it's funny you mention that, he does seem to move the frag between two rocks as if to block it off. I just started a small pod raising tank. John, I think he is going to get a time out!
Last night he moved a small zoa frag around!?
Thanks