Arrow Crabs-are they reef safe?

[Bluetangclan]

I just returned a Coral Banded Shrimp today because he was beating up on my poor SallyLightfoot Crab. Soinstead i come home with an Arrow Crab because I had read they were good and provided the same function as a CBS without the hostility. He looks rather mean to me, whats your opinions?
55 gal
Sally Lightfoot Crab
Percula Clown
2 Green Chromis
Cardinal (2 more when they are in stock)
Cleaner Shrimp
Lawnmower Blenny
5 Emerald Crabs
3 Scarlet Hermits
4 Zebra Hermits
1 Blue Legged Hermit
1 Arrow Crab
Various Mushrooms
Pink Tipped Anemone

 

[starr]

from what i have found they are fine also cbs suck mine ate all my small fish so he got the boot for a peperment for now.

starrs2001

 

[ReefLion]

I believe arrow crabs are predators that will take out much of your other cleaning crew. I could be confusing this with something else (it's late here), but wanted to type this out quickly so you didn't toss it in before at least checking further.

Tim

 

[Anonymous]

If memory serves, they have a particular taste for featherdusters.

Always wanted one, never got one.

RR

 

[jdeets]

They also perceive bristleworms as delicacies. If you want a good cleanup crew, pass on the arrow...

 

[King Jason]

I had one...he decied to take a walk outside my tank...found him across the hall, looked like a huge spider...scared my gf to death!...He was rock hard...he was really cool to watch though (when he was in my tank)...

 

[Anonymous]

Arrow crabs will decimate your cleanup crew as well as fanworms and vermetid snails. They are also known to attack fish during their "sleep".

 

[Anonymous]

arrow crabs are highly predatory, and carnivorous.saw too many of them attack, damage, and eat other critters while holding 'em at the lfs to ever recommend them for a reef tank.

 

[old ron]

Well i guess you got the message --------not reef safe, 99 0/0 of crabs are best left out of reef tanks (and fish only also)

 

[Bluetangclan]

HAHA I was watching the tank a little while ago. My favorite and fearless Zebra hermits were up to their usual antics again this time using the Arrow as a jungle gym. Judging by his response I dont think he had a clue what to think of it all. In my opinion Zebras are the best hermits to have in a tank. So far still no casualties from the arrow.

 

[old ron]

Keep watching, the arrow is tolerant of the hermits because it cannot do anything to them as they have a strong house . how many negative posts
do you need to convince you that crabs are bad news? the sally is also a problem crab as is the emeralds after a time. I hope your haha's do not turn into ohoh's time will tell. :roll:

 

[Bluetangclan]

I agree that the arrow is a bad crab, I will prolly bring him back early next week(maybe sunday even). As to the others if they become a problem I will trade them out. To me the crabs are my favorite part of the tank, I will never rid the tank of them fully.

 

[Garry thomas]

For what its worth i'v got 1 in my 500gal+ reef and i find him excellant. the point we all seem to miss is that all creatures have there own little personalities? no 2 alike, anyway this beaut dont bother my dusters or coco worms , i have 12 cleaners, 6 blood reds and he doesant bother them, but i have heard one of my friends arrows , ate a small shrimp, so there you are? i find them ok. when i originally put him in 9 months ago, a couple of times i seen him munching on a bristle worm. and yes i have heard that the caribean sp predatory against fish? hope to have helped. Probally the crabs you have already do more damage?

 

[Anonymous]

I have one red legged hermit and I use my conch to keep things clean. Much safer IMO.

 

[Bluetangclan]

Actually the one I have just sits under his rock. I dont know if he has eaten anything. He let the above mentioned zebras climb all over and barely budged. He might still be getting used to things.

 

[Garry thomas]

I'm not trying to be contuary to the rule but i'm going to get another arrow crab to see if they'll live in harmony in a big tank? time will tell ..
watch this space as they say... or as they say in llandow chow for now.


I think i'v drunk to much over crissy?????