Killer Emerald crab?!

I woke up this morning to find my emerald crab eating my clownfish's face! From what i read these are mainly algae eaters. So i was very surprised to see this. Although he has grown quite alot since i first had him. First off i find it very hard to beleive he could catch my clown. Im thinking since it was my previously sick clown i had recently out into my new tank maybe the clown was slow and sleeping or something. Im just wondering if i should get rid of the "green beast" or not. He has lived side by side with a little goby, much smaller then a clown and there has never been an issue. Any ideas?

Sorry to hear that, but yes, emerald crabs will eat fish if given the opportunity. The larger they become, the more aggressive they become.

hmm may be time for a trade in then. This crab is a monster compared to when i first had him. He is such a great cleaner though id hate to get rid of him. But i dont want my fish fearing for their lives after lights out.

Crabs in general are little evil plotters!!! The reasons why I wont have them are
1-They can kill fish
2- They can murder snails
3- They can crawl out of your tank and look startlingly like a giant spider crawling across your floor causing a total freakout if you haven't had your morning coffee yet and its still dark in the house......

The last one is particularly terrifying.

lol i like point number 3. Im going to take him to my LFS tomorrow and see if hes willing to take him, and im sure he will. I gotta admit im gonna miss him, hes very cool looking but since that happened last night ive noticed him kinda snapping at other inverts in my tank. Hes got to go. He will most likely do better in a larger tank with larger fish.

That looks like a male emerald. Males can get very mean. All the emeralds in my tank are female & excellent cleaners. I would get another emerald if I was you, just make sure its a female. Females have & keep tiny claws FYI.

that picture is so full of win

Ya hes a little trouble maker he hangs upside down in his little cave and anything that swims by or under he pops out and pinches at them. Thanks for the advice chuck they are great cleaners. I seen my LFS just got a new emerald i didnt pay much attention to the claws though ill look closer tomorrow. Im sure my LFS will find him a good home. Or become food for his huge toadfish, things a bottomless pitt.

Well you jenksed me!!! Lol but not.....my emerald just shredded my fire shrimp!:,,,(