Crab ID please

[SpencerJ]

We just caught this crab in our tank after two weeks, we were told all crabs are bad and they will nibble on sleeping fish, but he looks so cool!

 

[Shawn O]

Can't help with ID but he is certainly a nice looking crab. How big is it, I'm guessing about 2.5" wide? Was it hard to catch? Would make a neat centerpiece for a nano tank.

 

[sam.basye]

Very pretty crab.

Based on the back two legs looking like paddles, it's some form or swimmer crab. Like a blue crab, which can get up to 5-6 inches (the body, not including the legs).

I wouldn't mind having one that looks like that, I like the innocent until proven guilty crab theory.

Oh, they grow fast as well.

 

[Betta132]

Don't kill it, put it in a sump or refugium. It's definitely a hunter of some form, judging by the claws and fins, but it's worth keeping. If you don't have anywhere else to put it, I'd suggest looking for someone who does. It's a really beautiful crab, I'm sure you can find it a home.

 

[FishAndAquatics]

It's a juvenile purple swimming crab. It's reef safe with caution. It's max size is about 3 and a half inches and it'll swim around your tank using it's back leg " paddles ". I have some of these too and they're really neat. Just keep them well fed.

 

[FishAndAquatics]

It's one of the more unusual and uncommon species you don't usually see. Aquastockers.com had some a few weeks ago for 10.00

 

[jraker]

if you are worried, throw it in the refugium. a crab that size may try to eat other inverts or even fish