Crab Trap?

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by rashr, Mar 9, 2007.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. rashr

    rashr Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2006
    Messages:
    86
    Location:
    North Carolina
    Hi all.....I have found a mean looking crab that must have been a hitchhiker. He looks similar to an emerald, but is brown and has LARGE black "aggressive" looking claws. I want him and his two smaller buddies out, but I don't know how to get to them. Here is what I have tried so far.....1. Tweezers, but they are way too fast even though they will let me get close before ducking into some rock. 2. I put a small glass Coke bottle (8 oz.) in there with mysis shrimp in the bottom so if he/they went in they couldn't get out, but they won't go in....the cleaner shrimp, snails and hermit all flock to it, but he/they won't go near it (too darn smart for me!). Is there something I can do to get him out before he causes damage to the fish or others in the tank. I plan on putting him/them in the fuge once I get to them. Any help would greatly be appreciated.
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    7,172
    Location:
    America
    Lean a glass against the rock the crab is usually at. Put meaty seafood in the bottom. Once they go in to eat, when they try to climb back out they can get any traction on the slippery surface.
     
  4. rashr

    rashr Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2006
    Messages:
    86
    Location:
    North Carolina
    That is actually what I did with the small Coke bottle, but everything but the crabs would either go in or try to go in to get the Mysis shrimp.
     
  5. sssnake

    sssnake Montipora Digitata

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2005
    Messages:
    1,062
    Location:
    Montreal, Canada
    In my case I eye-balled his favorite rock and hole, made sure he was in there, took the rock out and used a plastic (flexible) cable-tie. I forced him out by prodding away in a few holes until I found the right hole. After a couple of stabs the plastic tie eventually snaked its way through to him and out he came. It took me 10 minutes.

    Another option would be to use a can of compressed air and and create a wind tunnel effect scaring the sh*t out of him. He'll probably leave skid marks on his way out of the rock.

    Good luck!