Maybe a bad choice...

I just bought an Arrow Crab the other day, to help with my bristle worm problem. Hes smaller in size, but I am a little concerned about my small clown fish, who may be in trouble at night. My six-lined wrasse is too well fed to go on the hunt for bristle worms, so I thought this would be a good worm killer to have (I bought the plastice trap, but it's eeks me to take the worms out in the morning). My question is, will my fish be ok with the Arrow Crab on the hunt at night? If I had to chose who stays and who goes, it would definately be the Crab leaving, my clown is too sweet for me to see it get hurt or to sell it. Any suggestions? I really don't want to get rid of my crab, but I don't want fish carnage ...

Pics of the crab and fish:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v718/mrbojanglesslayr/P1010025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v718/mrbojanglesslayr/P1010031.jpg

 

With what experience I have had with them, The crab is in more danger than the fish. I am sure there will others who disagree
Some fish, probably not the clown, would try and make the crab a daytime snack.
On the plus side, the crab will definitely eat your bristle worms and other algae.
Enjoy

Jim

 

Thank you for your input, I didn't even fathom that the crab could be in danger! He just seems like this big presence in the tank compared to the other three. I just took my small hermit crab back to the LFS, I just didn't want to see him on the floor half eaten. I've been keeping a close eye on the tank for most of the day, and the Arrow seems to just dig around and pick the food off his legs, lol. The other tank mates do swim around him and peck at the rocks, but the crab will kind of push them away it seems with him legs. I am going to put the clown in quarentine container tonight when it sleeps, I just don't want to take many chances with him until he (arrow crab) adapts better to the tank

 

Arrow crabs can take down smaller fish by spearing them with their rostrum. I've never experienced it personally, but it is a possibility. They are definitely good bristleworm eaters but also tube worms (ie feather dusters) as well.

Good luck.

 

Oh boy, so the clown might be kebab food? As of 30 minutes ago, all seems well.. The flame angel actually still doesnt get that the crab wants nothing to do with him, and then the angel had the nerve to peck at the crab's leg! The drama that unfolds in salt water tanks is more interesting than any soap opera I've ever seen!

 

Yeah clownfish aren't the greatest of swimmers either so it's a possibility but I wouldn't worry a hell of a lot about it. Like I said I've never seen it and I have had plenty of arrow crabs around. Biggest drawback to them is the fact they will eat tube worms too and while I like bristleworms, many people love tubeworms even more.

 

I have a fish only tank (hope that is ok for the crabs!), so the arrow crab eating what feathers or aiptasias I have isn't a big deal. I've seen the clown sitting on the sand some nights, and bristle worms are like an inch away from him! I woke him up when that has happened and moved him with a net to get him to higher ground. Tonight hopefully, the crab will go into action!

 

Hehe well I think you need to step back and just relax. Are you relatively new to this? It's been a week or so since your last post, what's the update?

I was worried at first when I saw my bristle worm population. That was over a year ago and I haven't taken any steps to change it. Trust me they are relatively harmless. At least in my experience. Don't worry about your clown. If he's sleeping on the sand and a worm comes up to him, he'll swim away.

Besides, as far as I know or can remember, bristles are scavengers. Anyone that knows more about this might be able to answer better, but I'm pretty sure they will go around and eat up your leftover food that might otherwise rot and cause a spike in nitrates and such. The only time you really gotta worry is if the worms get BIG. And you'll know when they're too big.

And yes crabs are perfectly fine in F.O. tanks. One thing you'll learn (and so will your bank account) is that it truly does pay to research any potential purchases. Especially when livestock is concerned. That way you don't end up putting a Lion Fish in with your baby Clown, only to discover the Clown was merely a midday snack for your Lion ;D