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Post by reefinvert on Jan 31, 2016 21:32:36 GMT -5
So, I have a gorilla crab and have caught one fireworm and have at least two more smaller worms killing off snails and leaving slime everywhere. I caught the fireworm with a bottle, tubing, and a shrimp, but the others seem disinterested. The gorilla crab on the other hand has killed a six line and yellowtail blue damsel in two days. He is skittish though and hides in this hole which burrows way into the rock where I can't get him. I try to lure him out with shrimp and he will come half out of the hole, but any movements at all and he will take off before I can get him. So far I have tried a shrimp in a net and a bottle with the neck inverted, also with a shrimp in it, but he wont fall for either even when left overnight. Also, he won't come out when I try pumping air through the holes.
I read Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer may help, or even flushing with fresh water, my issue with those is the two brilliant green mushrooms on the rock. They glow this great green color under my lighting and I don't want to do anything to hurt/kill them. Something will be done when I have a day off on Thursday, but what, is still a mystery. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also, any suggestions on the snail killing worms would be appreciated also.
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Jan 31, 2016 21:58:48 GMT -5
Pics?
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Post by reefinvert on Jan 31, 2016 22:04:13 GMT -5
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Post by spotfin on Feb 1, 2016 7:45:45 GMT -5
Cool looking crab. I thought gorilla crabs were dark in color? Maybe set up another tank just for it:) Try taking the rock out of the tank and flushing freshwater into its hole. I would avoid any pesticides.
As for the worms, how big are they? There are various bristle worms, most are actually beneficial and act more as scavengers rather than predators.
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Post by reefinvert on Feb 1, 2016 8:09:49 GMT -5
The worms were about 8 inches and I saw one attacking one of my snails. Most of them have learned to hide at the top of my tank at night, but another snail bit the dust last night and was slime coated like the others. The one worm I did catch was definitely a fireworm, but the other two I am unsure of. And yes, I really like this crab, but the guy needs to stop making costly meals out of my fish  I am scared to add anything to the tank until these are dealt with. |
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Feb 1, 2016 8:22:19 GMT -5
Weird, the crabs claws are scallop shaped like Mithrax crabs. Have you ever bought red mithrax crabs or emerald crabs before? That's not a gorilla crab. Gorilla crabs have pointy claws. Red eyes and are black/dark grey.
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Post by reefinvert on Feb 1, 2016 9:54:46 GMT -5
I think it's a bad angle. Im pretty sure he is a juvenile gorilla and will be covered in fur in no time. I found some pictures of them online that are identical to his look. He does have red eyes, but you can't tell from the pic. He is a hitchhiker from the live rock since day one.
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Feb 1, 2016 11:47:02 GMT -5
This is a pic of the gorilla crab I caught at aquacorals a few years back. Attachments:
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Feb 1, 2016 11:51:53 GMT -5
Here's another type of Mithrax crab. Notice the spoon shaped claw tips. Obviously it doesn't mean it can't attack fish or corals. I've seen emerald crabs pick on zoanthids when there isn't enough algae to sustain them. Best advice, when in doubt put it in the sump. Attachments:
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Feb 1, 2016 11:53:22 GMT -5
Also, many good crabs have hairy legs as well.
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Post by reefinvert on Feb 1, 2016 16:33:47 GMT -5
He is getting flushed on Thursday, so I will try and provide pictures and/or video of what I did. Maybe we can get a better look at what the little guy is.
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Post by spotfin on Feb 1, 2016 18:08:08 GMT -5
Hate to hear people flushing critters. Maybe someone here could find a home for it if you can catch it.
Are the snails dead and the worms scavaging them?
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Post by reefinvert on Feb 1, 2016 18:53:00 GMT -5
I'm sorry. I didn't mean flush as in a meeting with the porcelain gods. I meant a turkey baster and fresh water. And the worms are eating the live ones... I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it multiple times with my own eyes.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Feb 1, 2016 19:34:16 GMT -5
For the worms, you have to get them hungry for the traps to work. Feed lightly for the next couple days so there's absolutely no extra food then add the trap. Maybe even skip feeding all together? Shouldn't hurt anything.
For the crab you have a good idea trapping him in a rock but idk if freshwater will flush him out? Maybe isolation in a bucket until it gets hungry enough to fall for the trap?
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Feb 1, 2016 21:46:44 GMT -5
A good way to get a crab out if it's stuck in a rock, set the rock in a bucket with maybe an inch of tank water in the bottom. Eventually the crab will start to dry out and seek out water. That's where the tank water in the bottom comes in.
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I am scared to add anything to the tank until these are dealt with.
