Crab Id please

[xpectnomercy]

Anybody have any idea what type of crab this is? Thanx in advance.

 

[Octoshark]

I saw some similar looking crabs, but I wasn't confident enough to claim a species so here is the hitchhiking guide for your own future reference:

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchhikers.html

 

[xpectnomercy]

Thanx i'll take a look at it.

 

[LeslieH]

It's a xanthid crab Atergatis floridus. These crabs are quite poisonous due to toxins produced by marine bacteria they pick up with their food. Surprisingly, studies have shown that they are primarily vegetarians in the wild although like most crabs they will scavenge & take advantage of other food sources.

 

[xpectnomercy]

Ok that doesnt sound to good. His a pretty avtice little guy always moving about from rock to rock at night, so im assuming if its toxic i should try and find him a new home?

 

[LeslieH]

Sorry, I should have been more explicit. It's poisonous to humans if eaten. You don't have to worry about it dying & nuking the tank like some nudibranchs and sea cucumbers. Many xanthids, snails, clams, sea cucumbers, pufferfish, and other critters have substantial amounts of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) in their tissues. Some predators like snails that eat sea cucumbers are actually attracted to their prey by sensing the TTX. When these animals are raised in artificial surroundings without any of the marine bacteria or dinoflagellates that produce the toxins they are non-poisonous. Yours, which probably came in on live rock, will carry the toxins. So no crab legs for dinner tonight!