A Crab In My Tank

[ReefGirlSara]

I just noticed a small crab in my tank, he is pretty quick and mainly stays in the nooks and crannies, so I haven't been able to get a pic yet. Maybe someone knows a good link to possible crab id's.

This crab reminds me a little of a small-medium emerald crab - same basic shape and size, but it is sort of off white/gray and a little fuzzy, with dark gray/black horizontal stripes on it's legs. It has one pincher that is bigger than the other, and the leg leading up the big pincher is off white with dark gray stripes like the other legs, but the large claw is solid black.

It looks kinda mean to me.

I have no clue how I would ever catch him, so I am really hoping he is harmless. He sort of blends in with the sand too.

 

[Brandon M]

Here are some links that may help you:

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/crabs.html

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=497+501

Good luck :rollface:

 

[ReefGirlSara]

It looks cross between an emerald mithrax crab and a Xanthid crab - one is reef safe, the other is not...Do mithrax crabs come in gray? I have some of the emerald variety, but that's the only color I was aware of.

 

[cloak]

Check these out. Set the delay to about 3 seconds or so. Otherwise you'll be there all day.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/reefslides/index.php

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/reefslides/index.php