Pom Pom Crab: A Nano Journey

[rookie07]

I have decided to start a thread which "documents" a Pom Pom crab that I take care of.
I purchased him/her around December of 2009. He/she was instantly placed into my 120 gallon mixed reef. All was well....
In June of 2010 I was forced to breakdown my tank and set up two (2) 34 gallon Solana Tanks.

Here are 2 pictures of the Pom Pom in the 34 Solana (9/18/10), notice how the Anemones are full and healthy:

After a few months the Anemones began to wither and eventually died. Here are a few progression shots to show how things changed:

(4/20/11) Bristle Worm has replaced missing Anemone:

(5/25/11) Both anemones have died, and a few Bristle Worms have come and gone:

(6/28/11) A newly added Coral had a Aiptasia Anemone on it as a Hitchhiker, and before I could Majano Wand it, the Pom Pom Crab "stole" it:

I will continue to update this thread as the Pom Pom Crab finds more useful toys to play with.

 

[Mattl22]

Cool why do they pick up those things?

 

[rookie07]

They use the Anemones they hold for catching food, which they pick out and eat, and to fend off any attackers. In my nano there are no predators or threats so the crab is able to live without the protection of the anemones.

 

[Mattl22]

Cool same idea for bristle worm?

 

[DREUTZ]

I've read that you might not want them in your reef because the anemones will sting your corals. How was he with that before they died off?

 

[rookie07]

I never noticed any problem with the crab and it's Anemones. The crab generally hides during the day, so there is little chance of stinging coral then. The crab generally holds the Anemones up high into the water when trying to "catch" food.

 

[picod]

Thank you for sharing your Pom Pom's story!

They are one of my favorites, and will be one of my first purchases when I upgrade to my 20 gallon.

 

[rookie07]

Picod: I would not recommend this invert for a nano. I attribute the Anemones (Pom Pom's) dying to the nano tank...cleaner water, less room, etc. However, if you are intent on adding one to your eventual upgrade, I would be meore than happy to give you mine for free at that point in time.

 

[RARECLOWNSNJ]

I have one for about 4 years it now has a blue and red mushroom on its claws

 

[rookie07]

I have one for about 4 years it now has a blue and red mushroom on its claws

Ha! Very funny...those shrooms do not look so good either...I think Pom Poms need to be in a large tank so they can thrive.

 

[RARECLOWNSNJ]

Mine was in a 30 breeder and then gpt moved to 45 marineland cube. I think they need more hidin spaces then room. The shroom were on a huge colony so im not really worried and it looks cool.

I wouldnt throw then in a 8 gallon nano but mine is also 4 inches from end of leg to end of leg. It lives with my kliens buttefly and yellow wat hmen in that hole

 

[rookie07]

UPDATE:
The Pom Pom has been holding an Aiptasia Anemone that came as a hitchhiker, which it has had since the end of June 2011.

 

[Mattl22]

That's really cool I'd like to get one

 

[rookie07]

I would not suggest it. The only time it thrived was in my 120 gl tank, where I never saw it. Now I see it at night a little and the "Pom Poms" aka Anemones died off in my Solana. I am also afraid the aiptasia will relase spores and spread, but I will have to wait and see...and hope.

With that said, it only did well when I never saw it, not a good animal for home aquariums.

 

[noelskii]

i was about to say...hope that aiptasia doesn't spread. good luck!

 

[Ben251]

Wow what an awesome thread! i have one now he still has both nems but still new in the tank. Have anyone ever heard of them propagating their own nems?

 

[rookie07]

Wow what an awesome thread! i have one now he still has both nems but still new in the tank. Have anyone ever heard of them propagating their own nems?

Yes. I have heard of them forcing their anemone to split, esentially ripping it in half.