Crab ID. Help a noob...plz.

[Bygkid]

I have seen this crab in my tank since it was originally set up in Oct 06. The LFS guy told me that I had no crabs that I should worry about in my tank. I have since impolitely removed a few dark rock crabs that were picking off fish, hermits and whatever they could get(including a few of each other).
This red guy has been here the whole time and the only reason that I have let him stay is his color. I have observed him removing polyps(never the ugly brown ones), have noticed that my zoa rock is starting to be thinned out and I suspect him in at least 2 missing fish cases.:mad2:
I suspect him from info I have read from RC and in books, that the tell for reef safe is not limited to just hairy or smooth. Pinc size or shape can be a factor as well. Any help would be great!
Anyone know this guy.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/157219P6180754-copy.JPG

 

[LeslieH]

The picture's awfully little so it's kind hard to make out what he is but I do believe he's a xanthid or something similar. While I doubt he killed the fish (although he might have eaten the remains) you've already caught him eating zoas, right? So you don't need his name to know he's trouble. Best to banish him or whatever you did to the others.

These bits of reefer wisdom about "hairy bad, smooth good" and "spoon-shaped pincers good, sharp-tipped pincers bad" are not completely true. IMO, except for the few proven filter feeders, herbivores, detritus feeders & acro crabs, all crabs are capable of causing damage. I think crabs are fabulous & would far rather have them than corals but still, they're not to be trusted.

 

[Bygkid]

Yea, I know the photo is small. I added another a bit closer up. I can only upload 50k pics. (I think it cause I'm new) I also don't know how to add pics to the page as I have seen some do. Here is a closer up pic.


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/157219Big_Red.jpg

 

[LeslieH]

Xanthid (or in one of the families split off from Xanthidae). Still too small to id. Where's your live rock from? Indo-Pacific or Florida/ Caribbean? The first link below has xanthids from IP; the second from the Carib.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/reefs/guamimg/crustacea/xanthidae/index.html
http://www.nhm.org/guana/bvi-invt/bvi-surv/crab-g06.htm

 

[Bygkid]

The guy from the 'old' LFS that originally set up the tank(long story short) ended up giving me his fully cured 2-4 yr old LR from one of his coral tanks. Judging from the texture and porosity(sp) of the rock, I would have to compare it to what I have seen from the Indo-pacific region. I am no expert but I have seen LOTS of LR working at my 'NEW' LFS and it reminds me of alot of the LR that they get from ' Fiji area'. I think that Fiji is in that region... been almost 30 yrs since I studied geography.

Thank you so very much for the links. I think I can narrow it down from the pics that are there as I have grown very used to seeing him at night for the past 8 or so months. My wife chuckles :lol: eveytime I see something missing , cause I always blame it on him. Most recently, a Jawfish that went into hiding after I installed another tunze. I have checked everywhere, so since he's missing, "...THAT crab ate him!!":mad2:

 

[Bygkid]

Judging from the pics in your first link, except for the darker color he looks strikingly similar to Platypodia anaglypta~ Guam 791-11. If I catch him, would you still want him? I saw your post about the ID.

 

[LeslieH]

Yes, that would be great.