Bad crab?

[KurtsReef]

Before I ban this little fella down to the refugium area...

From what I understand the hairy legs means bad guy...he is on one of my acro's and looks identical to about 3 others I had found at one point and are now living in the refugium...

Any ideas or ID's

 

[Tennyson]

Did it come with the coral? Or did it apear on it all the sudden? Do they go to other things in the tank and venture around. I would think that it would be a comensal crab, in other words, a good guy, but the hairs make it seem bad.

Even if it was a good crab, I would still remove it. Looks creepy with those bright blue eyes.

 

[chrisstie]

I have a crab like that with red eyes living inside a rock I never knew existed until the other day. The boogar goes around when I can't watch at night stealing pieces of rubble, frags, snail shells etc and is building a house up inside this rock and then waves his claws at me giving me the finger.

Twice he stole my finest little yuma frag and twice I've been able to get it back but he's starting to hold the good stuff for hostage. As soon as I catch him he's sump-bound. I'd do the same with yours just in case, unless you can get better pics of him. He doesn't look like any beneficial crabs I've seen that live in acros.

 

[KurtsReef]

He did not come in on this coral, perhaps another or in a piece of rock...

The hairy legs are what have me thinking bad crab, will wait for a positive ID and/or watch the coral specifically where its hanging out. Would hate to move it if it is comensal

Appreciate the replies

 

[rlf_racing]

All you need to do is look at the claws of this crab. If they look like emeralds claw it is more than likely safe. If they come to a point like gorilla crabs claws, not safe. Also the color of most non reef safe crabs claws that I have seen are black to almost black.
This guy does not look reef safe. Hard to see his claws completely but look bad.

 

[Tennyson]

His claws do look blackish in the picture. And sorry if the info on my reply might have been false.

 

[KurtsReef]

I will try to get a better shot that includes the claws today. i think they are two toned, lighter colored and then get thin and black at the ends.

 

[KurtsReef]

Failed this afternoon to get a better shot. Perhaps the fact they hide so much is a clue to them being bad...here is what I believe to be a comensal crab:

 

[KurtsReef]

Well, I decided to get it out. Its in a glass right now, may try to get a good shot of it before dooming it to the sump area...

It has larger claws that become small and black on the ends, generally hairy looking and off brownish green in color.

 

[chrisstie]

What you describe sounds gorilla crabish. I could say it could also be mithrax but they usually hide in the shadows not in a coral.

The pic you posted is of an acro crab, a truly amazing and wonderful critter!

I'd feel comfortable putting a questionable crab like you describe in the sump

 

[KurtsReef]

Thanks Christie.

Well, here are some photos that may lead to a positive ID

And one focusing on the claws

 

[rlf_racing]

Looks like a teady bear crab. Not reef safe. Cool looking crab though.

 

[650-IS350]

Yup looks like a teddybear. Def not reef safe.

 

[KurtsReef]

Right before I pulled him out it appeared to have a coral polyp in its pincers. Hard to say really, but it looked close enough to the case for me to decide to pull it out.

Its still in the cup, will be in the refugium area tonight.

 

[jubjub]

yuppers i agree it looks like a teddy bear crab.....

 

[PayasoDelMar]

Yea i pulled out a gorilla crab the other day, almost took my clown down.