Scarlet Reef Crabs

[DaveC]

I added a new Acro to my tank last week and yesterday I noticed one of the branches is starting to bleach and the tissue is coming off (just one branch)..I also noticed a scarlet reef crab on that branch...could he be the cause of this or is he just picking at the tissue because it is falling off...I took the crab off and moved him quite a distants away...either he came back or it was just another scarlet reef crab on the same branch...I have had about a dozen scarlet reef crabs in my 125 gallon tank for about 8 months to a year now and have never seen them do any type of damage..so I am hoping that this crab was just taking the opportunity of feeding on some dead tissue and not the acro itself?? anyone else have any thoughts on the scarlet reef crabs???

Thanks
DaveC

[Chuck S]

I have never been a fan of crabs however they are scavenger eaters. I would highly suspect the acro was dieing and the crab smelt a meal.