I recently purchased some acropora colonies that had commensal crabs.  I proceeded to dip these colonies in Revive coral cleaner like i normally do with new frags.  The crabs did not appear to appreciate this at all, so I ended the dip quite early.

Are these dips toxic to crustations?  Should I attempt to remove any commensal crabs before dipping in the future, or is the dip tolerable by the crabs in the recommended dosage for the recommended time?  I also have an iodine based dip (Tropic marin pro coral cure) I could use if thats safer?

Thanks

I don't know what is in the commercial dips.  My suspicion is that a short dip is harmless to the crabs, but a long one may be lethal. The iodine dip will probably kill the crabs. 

Whether you want the crabs or not is a choice that should be made.  In nature when corals are well fed and can add a lot of tissue, the damage caused by the crabs on them is easily replaced by new growth.  Whether or not that happens in captivity depends upon the nutritional array of the system.  You might wish to consider removing the crabs before you add them to a tank.  Or not.  This is your call.  

Cheers, Ron

"The difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of degree and not of kind. The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man." Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

My intent is to keep the crabs, but I would also like to try and not introduce any baddies like AEFW (which i assume is the main target of the dips?)

I guess the safest solution would be to temporarily remove the crabs,  is there a good way to do this without alot of potential for damage to the crabs?

Nope.  The crabs live in and on the corals and that is the only place for them.  If you try to remove them, temporarily and put them back later; that might work, but the odds are not good.  It is hard to get them out undamaged.

Cheers, Ron

"The difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of degree and not of kind. The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man." Charles Darwin (1809-1882)