I have a 30g tank, into which, I have placed 2 emerald crabs and 2 snails. There are no fish right now, because I am starving the ich, which recently ran roughshod over my tank's once-happy population (survivors are in a QT tank).
Anyway, because they seemed interesting, and because they were cheap, I recently added a Sally Lightfoot crab and a Pom-pom crab to my 30g, where I had hoped they could await the return of fish-life in a week or so.
Sadly, my Emerald Crabs immediately subtracted those additions, in an overnight orgy of predation, disembodied legs, and cannibalistic horror. They would prefer to wait by themselves, apparently.
Now, clearly I should have seen this coming. But the geniuses at the fish store told me that there wouldn't be any trouble. They had logos on their shirts, and nametags, so I believed them.
Anyway, what I want to know -- clearly, need to know -- is this: Can Emerald Crabs be trusted around other crustaceans? My Emerald Crabs seem to be quite a bit bigger than the norm. If I had smaller ones, would I have better luck with this kind of thing? Is there anything that I could do, feeding-wise that might help (During the ich die-off, I have been adding some pellets every other day or so, to try and augment the algae growth for the crabs)?
As always, thanks in advance to anyone who has a clue for me.
Best,
BP
Anyway, because they seemed interesting, and because they were cheap, I recently added a Sally Lightfoot crab and a Pom-pom crab to my 30g, where I had hoped they could await the return of fish-life in a week or so.
Sadly, my Emerald Crabs immediately subtracted those additions, in an overnight orgy of predation, disembodied legs, and cannibalistic horror. They would prefer to wait by themselves, apparently.
Now, clearly I should have seen this coming. But the geniuses at the fish store told me that there wouldn't be any trouble. They had logos on their shirts, and nametags, so I believed them.
Anyway, what I want to know -- clearly, need to know -- is this: Can Emerald Crabs be trusted around other crustaceans? My Emerald Crabs seem to be quite a bit bigger than the norm. If I had smaller ones, would I have better luck with this kind of thing? Is there anything that I could do, feeding-wise that might help (During the ich die-off, I have been adding some pellets every other day or so, to try and augment the algae growth for the crabs)?
As always, thanks in advance to anyone who has a clue for me.
Best,
BP