Lobster vs. crab - what to do with the spoils?

Hello All,

Alas, nature has taken its course - I have been watching Benny the purple reef lobster busily enjoying a fine meal of emerald crab aka Mr. Pinchy. All he needs now are some fava beans and a fine chianti.

That said, the lobster is way back in his den - not sure how long the meal will take - and there is no sense in trying to pry the crab from the lobster.

I assume that I should try to remove anything left as soon as i can reach it in order to avoid affecting the water? Or....should I try to take it from him now?
I just do not see it as an easy task based on where he is right now.

any thoughts?

thanks in advance,
elizabeth

 

I wouldn't worry much about it.. do you have hermits or nasarius snails? because they will finish up the rest..

I came home yesterday to find two of my hermits ganging up on my fuzzy chiton (which really made me upset cuz I loved that chiton) and I just waited for them to get their fill then when I walked past I noticed nothing was messing with the remaining shell so I scooped it out and put it on the windowsill to dry.

 

i got snails! surely there will be a shell left at some point.

Thanks for the reply - this does not truly upset me as it is nature's way - I just want to be sure that it doesn't upset the water too much. Ive been working like mad on recent phosphate and nitrate issues.

 

I hear ya.. My next buy is a phosban reactor... RO/DI didn't cure-all so.. on to the next idea.. lol...

 

Don't forget the bristle worms. They will eat everything.