Probably the coolest thing in my reef...

christyf5 · #1 01-15-2010, 05:08 AM

Wow that is awesome!! What a cool looking critter

JJB84 · #2 01-15-2010, 05:16 AM

Red Coral had some of those I think awhile ago. very cool!

Diana · #3 01-15-2010, 05:19 AM

and please ignore the obvious reddish hues of cyano in my sand :P

kien · #4 01-15-2010, 06:14 AM

wow, very cool! What happens when he falls off a rock and lands upside down ?

ScubaSteve · #5 01-15-2010, 06:38 AM

Exactly what you think happens. Ha. I've heard that can be a downsideto these cool little guys. Actually, they ain't that little. I saw them and wanted one but I'm pretty sure it'd redecorate my nano tanks.

Funky_Fish14 · #6 01-15-2010, 06:54 AM

Those are so cool! Nice critter! How long have you had it?

I dont want to be a downer though, but I hope people dont go out buying tons of these. I hear they dont usually do very well, and I know a few people who have tried them to no avail.

Good Luck Diana! Im sure yours will do well

Cheers,

Chris

RuGlu6 · #7 01-15-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diana

and please ignore the obvious reddish hues of cyano in my sand :P

Goes well with his eyes!
very cool guy !

fishoholic · #8 01-15-2010, 12:42 PM

Very cool, I've never seen one before so thanks for sharing

fishytime · #9 01-15-2010, 12:55 PM

Yup we had some in awhile back.....very neat relationship indeed......the shell is actually harder to take of than the crab.....very difficult to keep them in a reef tank, as they get hung up and trapped quite easily, probably would make a better addition to a fuge.....great pic!

Diana · #10 01-16-2010, 02:23 AM

Thanks all, he sure is cool.

I've had him for about a month now. In all honesty, I have never once seen him on the rock. He hangs out strictly on the sand, picking away at it.... and seems to prefer one corner of the tank. Although I haven't observed him at night (so who knows what he gets up to!?).

I definitely considered the difficulty level of the coral when purchasing this guy. If I didn't have bryozoans growing already on my live rock I might not have got him. But if my rock can sustain this coral (or a very similar one) already I figured I could give it a shot

. It is a filter feeder so zooplankton helps.

If the coral doesn't survive apparently the crab can find a new home in a shell.

I'm pretty impressed with him, but I agree it is not something everyone should try, and for sure not something aquarium stores should bring in frequently.

-Diana