Arrow Crab Opinions

[Kizmar]

I'm tossing around the idea of getting an Arrow Crab to keep the bristleworm population down in my tank.

I realize these worms do provide some benefit to the tank's cleanliness, but they creep me out to no end. So... I want to keep them to a minimum. Also, I figure if there's an Arrow Crab eating them, I won't end up with some giant rogue bristleworm in the tank like some people have run in to. Gnaaahhhh!!! /skin crawling

Anyway, unlike the Six Line Wrasse I had, I want to do some research and get experienced opinions on these. If you've had one or have one, did they bother anything else in your tank? Were they a nuisance of any kind? Did it quickly outgrow your tank (I hear some can get pretty big)?

 

[Waddi]

I know some can get pretty big, and remember that basically all crabs are opportunistic, and will catch and eat a fish if given the chance, but I have always heard stories about these guys killing hermits and so on, generally not being reef safe. but maybe someone else can give an opinion.

 

[Kizmar]

+1 for the Skrillex sig. ;)

 

[Kizmar]

Here's another way to approach this subject: is there another way to accomplish what I'm trying to do here (keep bristleworm numbers down)?

 

[Salty B]

Cut back on the food. You wont see a difference overnight but they will disappear. And there is always manual removal. A freshwater dip can drive some of them out of rock too.

 

[Chris in SC]

Over the years, I have rarely NOT had an Arrow Crab in my Reef. Useful and cool to watch too! I did have just one that was a bit ugly to a Scarlet Hermit- just THAT Scarlet though-- some kind of vendetta I guess. I ended up removing said hermit. I will tell you though, that I have not been able to keep one alive for over 3 years- and I have kept many inverts and fishes into waay old age. They sure do munch down on Bristles!
I have a crap-ton of Bristles right now- 'cause I don't have an Arrow. 2 of them are like 14 inches long. I am not for sure, but I think that those are the females-- 'cause when I let one live in a tank by itself, I had a population explosion in short order.
Second Option-- get a Bristle Worm trap. They are cheap and pretty effective over time. Takes longer though. Hope that helps you.