Crab ID Please..

[Guygettnby]

i found this guy in my buddies live rock and so far cant seem to find out what kinda crab he is. he is about 1 1/2 inches maybe a bit bigger and the tips of his claws are a deep red.

currently he is in my mantis tank and has barried himeself in the sand.



thanks for the help.

 

[charlesr1958]

The flat "paddle" shape of the back pair of legs suggests to me a member of the Portunid family (swimming crabs) as well as its habit of hiding under the sand. Although the "paddles" are located in an area of the leg that I have not seen before as they are usualy much more pronounced at the tip or end of the leg.

A Hitch Hikers Guide to the Reefs

Also, I would like to your permission to use your photo within the above web page as this is a new one on me.

Chuck

 

[Guygettnby]

sure, i have no problems helping out fellow reef lovers.

thanks for the info on this guy, i only wish i knew more about him and if he was harmful or not.

 

[Guygettnby]

i have some other crabs i did not see pictures of in that site if you would like me to get some i would be more then happy too.

 

[LeslieH]

Chuck, chuck, chuck.... check out your own pics In portunids the last article of the 5th pair of legs is expanded & paddle-like. Guy's crab has narrow tips on the 5th legs. Maybe a xanthid or something similar which means an opportunistic feeder.

 

[Guygettnby]

now that i look at some of the pictures it does represent a xanthidae crab. but it likes to hide in the sand and that is were i found him in my buddies tank. my buddy has about 120lbs of LR that he could have hidden it but he choose sand.....

he is also not a small crab by any means...so i am still not sure.

 

[charlesr1958]

Okay, okay...lol, Its just that the last set of legs does have a strange (to me) paddle like or flattened area above the tips and thought it might be a new on me as is usualy the case...lol

Guy, Thanks! and would love some new photos if the crabs give you a chance at some shots.

Chuck