Crab ID
- Thread starter MarineBioMel
- Start date
MarineBioMel
New member
Hmm. Also, noob question I know, but how do I get photos to appear "big" in text instead of as a tiny thumbnail? Thanks!
MarineBioMel
New member
Thanks!!! I'd heard of squat lobsters before, but I only knew about the large, dull-colored kind. It looks a lot like this one, but mine has no stripe on the claw and has a shorter rostrum. Still working on (possibly) figuring out the species. Thanks again! I am so happy it is something cool and not bad. 
geemanaz
AZ FRAG Club Member
Allogalatheid Crabs - also known as squat lobsters but only lives on crinoids. Color patterns usually consists of alternating dark & light colored bands with white leg tips & claws; the colors always match the host crinoid. They are klepto-parasites that don't directly harm the host but steal its food.
MarineBioMel
New member
yup! But apparently, according to several sites, they can survive just fine in your tank without a host crinoid. Mine is doing really well after about 3 weeks in my pico.
BEASTIEPENDENT
Member
Hiho 
that should appear directly as "big" picture in Your post. Oh damn, the CODE-Code does not work correctly. Okay, then look here, last column (under "Attachments and Images: How do I add an image to a post?"): http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/faq.php?faq=vb3_reading_posting#faq_vb3_attachments
BTW: Squat lobsters should indeed not harm anything else in Your tank.
When You include it with the post via the IMG-code. If You upload Your picture somewhere and post
Code:
[IMG]http://www.imagehoster.com/image12345.jpg[/IMG]BTW: Squat lobsters should indeed not harm anything else in Your tank.
MarineBioMel
New member
Sweet! I still can't find the exact species online, so it must be a fairly rare one! LMK if anyone sees an exact match someplace.
Thanks Beastie for the photo info!
Thanks Beastie for the photo info!
MarineBioMel
New member
BEASTIEPENDENT
Member
Hm, for me that does not look like Allogalathea. I miss the long rostrum that A. elegans has – and that shall be the only species in that genus.
But there are 48 other genera in the family Galatheidae. Here is a catalogue of the super family, but not very much pictures, but You may want to take a look: http://decapoda.nhm.org/pdfs/28230/28230.pdf (2.5 MB).
But there are 48 other genera in the family Galatheidae. Here is a catalogue of the super family, but not very much pictures, but You may want to take a look: http://decapoda.nhm.org/pdfs/28230/28230.pdf (2.5 MB).
LeslieH
Premium Member
How many pairs of legs does it have? In the first pic there seemed to be the first legs with claws & 3 other pairs but in the second picture there seems to be the clawed pair & 4 others in which case it's a true crab.
From the shape & color pattern in the second pic it's definitely not an Allogalathea in any case.
From the shape & color pattern in the second pic it's definitely not an Allogalathea in any case.
MarineBioMel
New member
There are only 3 pairs of walking legs plus a pair of claws, so it is not a true crab. I am going to try to get some better photos - the point-and-shoot is clearly not doing the trick. It looks a lot like Allogalathea in color pattern, claw length, etc., but it definitely is missing the white stripe on the claws and the elongated rostrum.
Leslie, I know you are the resident worm expert - do you know any crab folks at your museum or elsewhere? I went to UNCW for my marine bio degree, but all the crab folks there work on temperate species. Thanks!
Leslie, I know you are the resident worm expert - do you know any crab folks at your museum or elsewhere? I went to UNCW for my marine bio degree, but all the crab folks there work on temperate species. Thanks!
twelvejewelz
New member
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchcrabs.html
check here bout half way down.
check here bout half way down.
LeslieH
Premium Member
Yes I do, plus I'm quite fond of crabs myself. If you can get some decent shots hopefully we can figure it out.
