I see you

I've found these little guys tough to photograph, but I finally got a pic of this trapeziid crab living on one of my acros. Thought people might like this, the inter species relationships found and nature and our tanks are quite fascinating.

 

Cool, is it hunkered down in the center of the coral? Nice piece of acropora, what is it, almost looks like a blue millepora.

 

Yeah, he just kind of hangs out there. Can't unusually find him in the day, but I know he's there. Amazing how well he can hide This is a green millepora, the pic was taken after the halide turned off. The supplemental lights make everything look purplish/blue.

 

Very nice thanks for sharing

 

Very cool - great shot

 

I rescue them during coral dips and put them back in the colony. They are neat little critters.

 

Thanks all!

Inwall, that is definitely a good idea IMO. They are neat, but also quite important it seems.

Symbiotic crabs maintain coral health by clearing sediments
Hannah L. Stewart, Sally J. Holbrook, Russell J. Schmitt and Andrew J. Brooks
Coral Reefs
Volume 25, Number 4, 609-615, DOI: 10.1007/s00338-006-0132-7

Abstract
Stony corals are the foundation of coral reef ecosystems and form associations with other reef species. Many of these associations may be ecologically important and play a role in maintaining the health and diversity of reef systems, rendering it critical to understand the influence of symbiotic organisms in mediating responses to perturbation. This study demonstrates the importance of an association with trapeziid crabs in reducing adverse effects of sediments deposited on corals. In a field experiment, mortality rates of two species of branching corals were significantly lowered by the presence of crabs. All outplanted corals with crabs survived whereas 45–80% of corals without crabs died within a month. For surviving corals that lacked crabs, growth was slower and tissue bleaching and sediment load were higher. Laboratory experiments revealed that corals with crabs shed substantially more of the sediments deposited on coral surfaces, but also that crabs were most effective at removing grain sizes that were most damaging to coral tissues. The mechanism underlying this symbiotic relationship has not been recognized previously, and its role in maintaining coral health is likely to become even more critical as reefs worldwide experience increasing sedimentation.

 

I got home and made a close up crop. You can see him better here.

 

great new pic m2434
thats quite an attractive looking acro crab


Steve

 

attractive huh? Oh, if you weren't a mod :LolLolLol

j/k thanks Steve