Emerald Crab — Mithraculus sculptus
Mithraculus sculptus
Origin: Caribbean
Water Parameters
Quick Stats
- Max Size
- 5 cm
- Min Tank
- 60 L
- Lifespan
- 4
- Schooling
- No
- Diet
- Herbivore/scavenger — bubble algae, film algae, detritus
- Temperament
- Mostly reef-safe; keep well-fed
About
The Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus) is the best-known biological control for Bubble Algae (Valonia spp.), the bane of many reef tanks. It also consumes film algae, cyanobacteria, and detritus. Reef-safe with corals under most conditions, though may pick at very small polyps if underfed.
Care Guide
Reef-safe if well-fed. Supplement diet with dried algae (nori) to prevent opportunistic coral picking. Provide rockwork crevices for shelter and moulting. Hardy and adaptable to standard reef parameters. Do not house with large predatory crabs. One of the most valuable reef clean-up-crew members for algae problems.
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