Sally Lightfoots: Reefsafe or Not??

[wombat1]

I've heard they eat coralline, which might not be so bad. What do you think??

 

[EmilyB]

Well, they definitely eat your shrimp when they can finally get big enough to chase them down.... 8O

 

[azreefer]

I had one that was great at first. It ate algae like mad. Then, one day he got a hold of a snail and from that day on he prefered snails, hermit crabs, and fish! Right before I got rid of him I saw him jumping off the rocks to try and grab a fish as it went by. He eventually succeded and ate a Bangaii.

 

[caecosystems]

They may get a hold of your little creatures from time to time but they definetly do not eat coraline algae.

 

[Anonymous]

not

 

[CAT]

I had one in a FOWLR for about a year. Noticed all kinds of pods and macro algae growing back after it was gone. If nothing else, they decimate your fauna.

 

[danmhippo]

NOT!

Why is it only the "not"'s that posted comments?

Sally lightfoot, like most other common crabs in the aquarium trade, are omnivore. I personally do not trust any crab or hermits in my tanks.

 

[Anonymous]

They are great cleaners, Always eating. But they do climb all over everything and I have seen mine trying to reach out and grab chromies as they swim by. Mine is a whopper too. Prolly 3" wide. 8O

I gotta get that sucker outta there, man! I think I'll try the ole glass leaning up against the rock trick.

So "not" is my answer.

Loeuy

 

[King Jason]

I hear a nurse shark will take care of your crab real quick and painless. I rent one out by the hour if you would like to use her.

 

[caecosystems]

bah,
Who needs a nurse shark. I keep a sand tiger shark in my bathtub. Who would have thought those scales could scrub so well.........

 

[wombat1]

Guys, guys. Everyone knows a wobbegong is the best sally lightfoot eradicator. I keep two in my 30 gallon to eliminate any such unwanted pests. I am partial to them aussie critters...

 

[Newts]

I've kept them in my tanks for years with no problem at all.I've only seen them eat algea and an occational piece of food that might land by them.

 

[Mouse]

I had a sally lightfoot tear off my arm, i was just giving it a piece of shrimp when WHACK, blood and gore everywhere and just before i passed out from blood loss i saw my arm being dragged behind the rocks. And yes, its one of those Fridays. :roll:

Honestly, big reefs, id say yea, one or two. Lickow iddy bid reefettes, NIEN!!!!

 

[rbaker]

I've always had Sally's in my reefs and never had a problem... I have 3 in my 180 now and they're model citizens.

JMO,

Ryan

 

[esmithiii]

I've always had Sally's in my reefs and never had a problem... I have 3 in my 180 now and they're model citizens.

Ditto.

 

[golfish]

there ok until they get big................so that will be a big NOT from me

 

[SPC]

I have one in my 180 for over a year and have never seen him bother anything. There is no question that he eats worms and bugs, but I don't think it affects the population too much with this water volume. I also make sure he gets his share of food each night, I think this makes alot of differnence in his attitude towards his tank mates.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I also have one in my 180...and have had no problems to date. Certainly all of my fish are accounted for. He is, however, only about 1.5"...so I am going to keep an eye on him.

Mouse...thanks for the laugh! :lol:

Chris

 

[michaelross6]

I feel that they are like many other creatures...safe in the reef if you have nothing they want <G>. I've had them eat baby Banggai Cardinals, opisthobranchs, and molted cleaner shrimps.

Mike