A man walks in to buy some live rock...

[SillyDox]

That man got home and put the rock in his cycling tank and left for work. When he got him much to his surprise, there was another little rock in the tank! Except this rock had legs and 2 pincers. And this rock was eating crap off the other rock!

But seriously, there's a crab in my tank that I didn't put there. I was excited at first but then I thought about the cycling tank, do you think he'll be okay? This tank is only a few days old though I am using a product called Fluval Cycle to aid in bacteria inoculation.

What would you do in my shoes? I believe it's an emerald crab. Are they hardy? Should I attempt to re-home him or will he help me out?

Thanks guys

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[nuttyd]

Can put him in a pitcher with saltwater for the time being until the ammonia portion has passed. He will be fine there for a week or so.

 

[Land_shark067]

if it is an emarald crap research if you actually want him. rule number one of the hobby only let what you want into your tank! but hitch hickers are so common on of the largest forum threads is identifying the thousands of types of hitch hikers people get. as nuttyd said put him a small contain with something to hid under tell your done cycling (just make sure to test his water as well) or just take him back to the store. (good luck they are tricky bastards to catch and get off your rock)

 

[Timfish]

If it's out in daylight scraping stuff off rocks it sounds like a beneficial herbavor. Mithrax spp. (emerald crabs) will have little spoons on the ends of their claws

 

[SillyDox]

I read more about this little guy, it seems that like all crabs they are opportunistic and will turn on its tank mates if it doesn't have enough food. That and they have individual personalities. I think I'll attempt to keep him alive and see how he treats his tank mates once my cycle is complete. If he looks sideways at my future pretties, I'll pull that sucker out.

Thanks for the tip guys!

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