Cool Hitch-hiker!

[hatfielj]

I just started up a new reef over the weekend and added my first batch of live rock. The first morning after adding my live rock to the tank I noticed some mysterious footprints all over the sand that made me wonder "What made these?"
So, for the last few days I've been keeping my eyes peeled looking for some signs of life.
Tonight I decided to shine a flash light in the tank under the rock work and to my surprise this is what I found:
!!!!EVIL CRAB MONSTER!!!

Look at those claws of death!

This guy is huge! Thats a nickel sitting next to him for size reference.
Thank god I found him and got him out of the main tank before I started getting corals or expensive fish!
He's chilling in my sump now all by himself. I don't really believe in killing pests like him.
Its really amazing to see how well camouflaged he is for living on a reef. Check out the coloration of his outer armor. Its designed to look just like coralline algae.

Look how he curls up into the shape of a small rock covered with coralline. On top of a piece of rock he'd be practically invisible!

These are the sorts of things that make this such an amazing hobby.
Enjoy!

 

[charlesr1958]

Believe me, it gets a lot more amazing.

A Hitch Hikers Guide to the Reefs

Chuck

 

[JEFFR259]

I believe that's a Xanthid sp. Cool looking, yes (reminds me of mean looking spider)......

BUT- it is VERY BAD FOR A REEF TANK. It will treat your coral like a buffet. If you have a refugium, throw him in there, otherwise he needs to go away, and quickly.

Sorry!

 

[JEFFR259]

Duh, just actually read the entirety of your post, sorry for that. You did the right thing.

Great pics though, I love how he's hugging that nickel!