Crab ID

[earwicker7]

Unfortunately, I haven't managed to get a decent picture yet, but the hitchhiker has a similar shape to a mithrax. The legs are hairy, the shell is kind of a dull grey-brown, and the tips of the claws are orange. There doesn't appear to be any hair outside of the legs. Without appendages, it's probably 1" to 1-1/2" wide.

So far, I have only seen it picking at algae. Hoping it is just a mithrax species I haven't seen before, and not some nightmare crab.

 

[earwicker7]

I managed to get a picture... it looks like there are pieces of sponge on it, so maybe a decorator crab?

 

[liverock]

Type of mithrax crab...there are many....generaly.....and crab that has on claw bigger than the other...with black tips.....eat anthing..but ..the mithrax....claws are designed for algae..look close....at the claws......but as in any crab....be astute !

 

[earwicker7]

Sweet! I have never seen a mithrax with sponge growing on it... very cool.