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randy123
11-22-2009, 08:18 AM
Over the course of time I have had my tank running I've noticed 4 hitch-hiker crabs in my tank. Two don't bother me much, two I really want gone.

Today I was delivered a stroke of luck when I removed a piece of live rock from the tank and moved it to one that I will be bringing me up shortly. My least favorite crab is it in it! I tried to flush him out with a flush of fresh water, but he has too many paths dug out in the rock. I've heard about trapping him in a shot glass with a piece of shrimp but I have none at the moment...has anyone else found something enticing enough to work?

Now here is my second, completely messed up question. I found one of my hitchhiker's big claws lying on the sandbed today. Not an exoskeleton, but the whole claw! I've heard clicking coming from the tank, but I've had this rock for 5-6 months and haven't noticed any hermits or snails missing or smashed up. Maybe the crabs fought or maybe..eeee...i don't even want to entertain the idea that...:lalala:

MMAX
11-22-2009, 01:48 PM
How big is the piece of rock? If it's not too big and nothing else is growing on it you could try freshwater dipping the whole piece. That clicking sound usually means one thing but it's funny that none of your clean up crew has gone missing.

Leah
11-22-2009, 02:26 PM
I still hear clicking in my tank I have already removed 1 mantis but have seen nothing.
I have lost 2 Sally lightfoot crabs but I have angels so don't know. I have a 2 inch gobie and he is still in there so either he (whatever is clicking) isn't starving or he has only a taste for crab meat.
Back to my point he has caused no real trouble! But if you really want it out I would go for the freshwater dip...thats how I got rid of the first one. I new where he was so I was
actually able to squirt water into his hole.