Boxer crab

[mixixe]

So I bought 3 boxer crabs yesterday for my nano tank and they are really cute! I saw one of them pounce on a glass anemone but the anemone quickly withdrew into the crack it came from. Later all the crabs went into hiding. This morning, when I woke up all the glass anemones were gone except for 1. Yay! I had about 8 and they were big ones, much bigger than the boxer crabs. I looked around for the crabs and I found two, each holding an anenome between their claws rolling it around and picking at it. I think it looked like they were eating rather than using them. They were oicking and stuffing the anemone and grooming it. There are no signs of the other anemones, all corals are fine. Has this happened to anyone else before??

[Melody]

First, let me say that I haven't a clue of what I'm talking about...lol...but I do get intrigued easily. I found this, if it helps:

"Another example of mutualism involves the Boxer crab (Lybia tesselata) and small anemones. The Boxer crab carries a pair of anemones in its claws. When predators approach the Boxer crab it waves the anemones, which present their stinging tentacles. The Boxer crab gets protection and the anemones get the partials of food that are dropped by the crab."

~ From "Symbiosis on the Coral Reefs (http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/fieldcourses06/PapersMarineEcologyArticles/Symbiosisonthecoralreefsf.html)"

Very interesting! Thanks for intriguing my mind....lol.

[mixixe]

hmmm yes, I know that, but I think the boxer crab only is symbiotic with one particular type of anenome... not the kind I have. and he really looks like he's eating it! And each boxer crab only has one anemone each right now he's not holding them but rolling them. I dunno, I've never had a boxer crab before, it's kinda neat. I went back to the pet store and asked the guy who sold it to me :) He had no idea either, he said he's never heard of boxer crabs eating glass anemones... and keep him updated... :) so i guess i'll how it all goes.

[Melody]

I think it just said 'small anemone' without specifics, and of course, I haven't a clue :Embarassing: . It is very interesting though. Let us know what you find out, if you would please.

Maybe you should see what they do if you move the net menacingly towards them - see if they wave the anemone around at you....lol.

[mixixe]

update: all my boxer crabs have taken the glass anemones and uses them as punching gloves... and I don't where all the other anemones went. Cool thing is the anemones were pretty big, but now they are tiny..the perfect size for the boxer crabs. I dunno what they did to it :) cute little guys

[Melody]

LOL Well as long as everyone's happy! I don't suppose you can get pic's of that? Sounds adorable.

[mixixe]

Hey Mel!

I'd take a picture but my camera is terrible!

Looks like this though

http://www.tjorvar.is/assets/images/boxer_crab_w_eggs.jpg except the anemones are brown not white.

Update: the anemones they have in their claws are getting smaller and smaller..i think they are dying, and no new ones have popped up. I wonder what the crabs will do now.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks for the picture. That is so cool :cool: !

[Melody]

So how about this - instinct tells the crabs to grab the anemone, no matter what kind it is. However, only the certain kind of anemone will work with the crab in a symbiotic manner. The crab, in its desperation to feel secure, grabs whatever anemone is available if its small enough. Since the relationship won't work for the anemone, it isn't getting what it needs and dies.

That's my theory, based on very little concrete information....lol.

Thanks for the link Mix, rather adorable for a crab. :yes:

[mixixe]

I think your right Mel. Those crabs are super cute. You have no idea how many hours I can spend looking for them in the tank or just looking at the tank. I"m starting to get major OCD...

[Melody]

LOL Its ok, you're among friends here who share your symptoms.;)

[Soggybottom]

That is awesome! I'm very jealous! Symbiotic action is too cool, I want some in my tank, arrrrrgh why don't freshwater creatures do this kinda stuff more often? damn them!

[mixixe]

Maybe it's time you start a marine tank to get some symbiotic action ;) it's so fun!

[Melody]

You should submit an article you know. Its one thing to read a beginner's guide to marine tanks, but most of us are hesitant to start on that scale. Going from freshwater into Nano Marine is the kind of baby step most of us are more comfortable with. I don't want some expert to tell me how easy it is, I want Ms. Mixixe to give me the real deal....lol. Even if you share what you've done so far and just update it periodically, it would be a great help. A Blog of sorts ;) .

You already have me tempted without even trying. People have tried to tempt me into marine for years without success, so that's saying something.:) As I found with the snails, getting other people into the same thing you are makes it more fun. Have I convinced you yet? lol

[Melody]

That is awesome! I'm very jealous! Symbiotic action is too cool, I want some in my tank, arrrrrgh why don't freshwater creatures do this kinda stuff more often? damn them!

Not true! A fascinating relationship exists right in your Applesnails! In their digestive system lives two different varieties of Corpuscles! These adorable creatures can be seen with a microscope if you examine the snails' feces.

I don't see how a cute crab waving anemone could beat that. :laugh:

[mixixe]

uhm..haha.. I don't think that would be a good idea... I have no idea what I'm doing... I doubt anyone would learn much from me but I will update! I just learned the other day that crabs molt... I really don't know much :) I just got this book called the nano-reef handbook and I'm reading that now. I like it alot, it's convincing me to get a protein skimmer...

[Melody]

Well that's the thing, experts and the experienced forget details that are crucial to someone who starts with little knowledge of the subject. However, you're a busy young lady and I'll be happy with updates :) , thanks!

Sounds like a good book.... so noted for Santa ;) .

[mixixe]

I looked in the tank today and I saw something peculiar :)

So i ran around the house looking for my camera and when I finally found it I ran back down the stairs hoping that I hadnt' lost the moment. I think my boxer crab is holding eggs :)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m271/mixixe/Picture012.jpg

[Melody]

Haaaaaven't a clue...lol...but its nice to see a pic of them! Very ... ok cute isn't quite the word, but close ;) .

Do they breed easily in captivity?

[mixixe]

I don't have a clue. I don't know anythign about crabs, but I'm going to have to find out fast. I think they go into larvae stage and float around like plankton or something after they hatch, so maybe I need a special spot for them. Help...

[Soggybottom]

Any news?

If they are planktonic larvae all I would think you could do is feed a liquid fry food or infusoria or something like that and hope for the best until they get bigger. That would be in a tank without predation of course...

[mixixe]

well the tank has a strong powerhead running in it with some fish that might enjoy the little larvae, haven't seen anything yet, and the crab holding eggs isnt' appearing anymonre or has released all the eggs. but i've seen other crabs getting it on, so maybe soon i'll see another one with eggs. I"ll let you all know if i see babies. :)