can you Id a crab from just his shed?

[majorjoey]

I have a hitchhiker crab that I wish to Id
was wondering what type he was
can you ID a crab via his shedding armour>?

thanks

Joey

 

[majorjoey]

pretty sure this is same crab not sure why when he was younger (in his skin?)
his jaws are red but anyways offer to help ID

thanks

Joey

 

[AlSimmons]

I think it might be a Stone crab. These will sometimes hitchhike their way into our tanks via live rock.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/12/inverts

 

[sam.basye]

Looks like a mithrax.
The pointed claws indicate that it eats meaty foods. Supplementing with little bits of shrimp, etc. or shrimp pellets will keep it happy. They are opportunistic feeders, but won't catch a healthy fish.
Max size about 2.5-3".
They can be a very entertaining creatures.
There is an algae eating variant which has claws with flat, cymbal-like, tips for grazing algae.

 

[majorjoey]

thanks for the replies

 

[Ron Reefman]

Mithrax don't have black tips on their claws, at least not the ones I see. IMHO this is probably a stone crab, a carnivore which will grow way too big or die in an aquarium.

 

[sam.basye]

You sure, Ron?

About 2 years ago I collected this one from the keys. I was always under the impression that it was a mithrax.
If I remember correctly, it was living with some larger red emeralds and some larger white ones.





Stone crabs are usually more oval-shaped and have a glossy shell.


Maybe it's a hybrid stonethrax crab? Lol

 

[AlSimmons]

This link might help.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/rs/index.php

 

[Ron Reefman]

You sure, Ron?

About 2 years ago I collected this one from the keys. I was always under the impression that it was a mithrax.
If I remember correctly, it was living with some larger red emeralds and some larger white ones.

Stone crabs are usually more oval-shaped and have a glossy shell.

Maybe it's a hybrid stonethrax crab? Lol

Stonethrax... I like it. :spin1:

No, I'm not sure, but then the Mithrax crabs I've collected are always either very green or very ruby. So no, I'm not sure.

 

[Mrs. Music]

What you both have there are baby trouble makers. As soon as they are big enough to grab something they will.

 

[majorjoey]

Nice link more crab Intel then I could uptake !
I will catch mine soon
as I spot him again

 

[aromano]

that crab looks like a trouble maker. Mithrax are usually reef safe when small but even they can get rambunctious and cause issues. I have always heard black tip claws need to get them out of your tank.