Hitchhiker crab destroying snail population!

[RYANLAWRENCE]

Hello everyone
Recently I have been noticing a decline in my snail population. I would look in my tank in the morning and there would just be empty snail shells on the sand. I thought maybe they were just dying of old age but I was wrong. I've had this black hitchhiker crab (he is huge) in my tank for a very long time. I saw him today eating one of my snails out of the shell. I then looked into his little cave area and he has a collection of snail shells from the snails he has killed. How do I catch him?! He needs to leave now

 

[classklown90]

put some raw seafood in a net inside the tank, he'll find it, then pull it up. its a waiting game tho

 

[RYANLAWRENCE]

alright I will try that. This crab is very wary its gonne be a tough catch

 

[Smitty]

That or you can put some meaty food in a glass that is tilted sideways. They can get in but can't get the traction to get out!

 

[duoc9119]

I would just make a trap out of a small water bottle. It will be able to get in but won't be able to get out.

 

[XxVooDooxX]

Can you get a photo? I'd like to see it

 

[PrettyFishies]

+1 on the pic

 

[RYANLAWRENCE]

All good ideas thanks. I will have to try them out. I will try to get a pic but it is hard. He is always hiding in the crevaces of the live rock where it is dark so pictures don't turn out well. But I'll try

 

[RYANLAWRENCE]

This is the best I could get on the iPhone. Can't really see him but you can see one of the snails that has fell victim to him

 

[XxVooDooxX]

If you catch it, pics, pics, pics!!!

 

[RYANLAWRENCE]

What should I use for bait? And would this work for the trap?

 

[duoc9119]

Maybe put the top you cut off in that piece to make a funnel type. That would keep him from crawling out

 

[XxVooDooxX]

That should work. Do you have any silversides? I wouldn't put the top in. I'd leave it just like that

 

[RYANLAWRENCE]

If I put the top back on he wouldnt be able to fit in there. He is too big. And no all I have is formula one marine pellet and mysis shrimp. Would that work?

 

[duoc9119]

Im sure those would work.

 

[RYANLAWRENCE]

Well thanks for the help everyone...trap is set. Hopefully a crab will be there in the morning

 

[XxVooDooxX]

Good luck!

 

[RYANLAWRENCE]

Attempt #1 was a fail. All the bait was gone with no crab in sight. Im thinking i had the bottle not tilted enough. will give it another go tonight

 

[joy13]

It probably used those little ridges to climb out, use something glass.

 

[RYANLAWRENCE]

Yeah you are probably right. I might use a small mason jar tonight