Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus) - Cleanup Crew

Tired of battling persistent bubble algae and unsightly hair algae? The Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus) is your diligent, all-natural solution. Hailing from the vibrant reefs of the Caribbean, this small but mighty invertebrate is a must-have for any saltwater aquarium, offering both practical benefits and engaging personality.

With its striking, deep green carapace and powerful claws, the Emerald Crab is perfectly equipped for its job. It meticulously scours live rock and crevices, using its precise pincers to target and eliminate various types of nuisance algae that other tank inhabitants ignore. Its special fondness for Valonia, or "bubble algae," has made it a hero in the reef-keeping community.

Beyond its incredible janitorial skills, the Emerald Crab is a fascinating creature to observe. Watch as it navigates complex rockwork, forages for its next meal, and interacts with its environment. It's a peaceful and valuable addition that contributes to a healthier, more balanced, and visually pristine marine ecosystem right in your home.

Key Benefits:

• Expert Algae Eater: Relentlessly consumes nuisance algae, including bubble algae, hair algae, and some cyanobacteria.
• 100% Reef Safe: Generally safe with corals, anemones, and other invertebrates, focusing its attention on algae, not your prized possessions.
• Hardy & Easy to Care For: A resilient invertebrate that adapts well to a wide range of established reef tank conditions.
• Active & Entertaining: Adds a dynamic element to your aquarium with its active foraging and interesting behaviors.
• Perfect for Clean-Up Crews: An essential component of any effective reef tank "clean-up crew," working alongside snails and shrimp.

Care & Keeping:

• Tank Requirements: A minimum of a 10-gallon tank is recommended. Provide plenty of live rock with caves and crevices for hiding and grazing.
• Diet: The Emerald Crab is a scavenger that will primarily feed on algae present in the aquarium. If algae is scarce, supplement its diet with dried seaweed (nori), pellets, or small meaty foods like mysis shrimp to ensure it remains well-fed and peaceful.
• Compatibility: The Emerald Crab is peaceful towards most tank mates. However, like any scavenger, it can be opportunistic if not well-fed. It should not be housed with large, predatory fish that may see it as a meal, such as triggerfish or puffers.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 72-78°F

  • Salinity: 1.023-1.025 sg

  • pH: 8.1-8.4

  • Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH

  • Calcium: 350-450 ppm

Bring home the Emerald Crab today and watch your algae problems disappear!

Clean Up Crews only Ship on Monday - Thursday to avoid sitting in hot/cold trucks & warehouses over weekends.  They all ship via UPS Overnight Service.

Clean Up Crew Basics & Why Ours are Different!

1. We ship UPS Next Day on All Orders, no slow shipping no USPS, we want the best chance of success for all your tank inhabitants.
2. All of our invert tanks are Fallow, we do not keep them with fish.
3. If you have an issue with something dying, we will make it right by refund or reshipment. We know buying livestock online can be tricky at times.
4. We don't buy/sell micro pea sized livestock. All of our snails, crabs, etc we purchase Medium to X Large sizes. I hate buying clean up crews online and getting hundreds of small barely viable inverts.
5. We check your shipping location before packing and include the appropriate number of heat/cold packs. Being a larger company we aren't afraid to spend more on shipping and packing to give your animals the best chance at thriving.
6. Flat Rate UPS Next Day Air anywhere in the lower 48 states.
7. We are building this program from the ground up so we can control everything. We do not drop ship. We control the animals we select, the husbandry, prep, pick, pack, ship. The entire process.  We are just getting started.