Do clams host Small crabs????

[cmersman]

I recently aquired a deresa clam. When it opened the other day I noticed two small white/clear crabs crawling inside the clam. Is this common. They dont appear to be hurting the clam as this clam has been in a tank for years. I know other things host crabs..but do clams????

 

[mbbuna]

there most likly shrimp and wont hert the clam. hit this link and see if this is it.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=705887

 

[cmersman]

I checked that link and those are not it. These are definately crabbs. They are about the size of a dime and are a milky white. They just walk back and forth in the clam and appear to be doing nothing. The clam does not appear bothered at all. There are no marks on the mantle that would suggest they were hurting the clam. My LFS guy said they may be similair to an anemone crab.. Could this be?

 

[mbbuna]

yes it could be. try to get a pic if you can . i would love to see them. i wouldn't worry,they are most likely just commensal crabs but i will look into it and see what i find

 

[kfisc]

Pea crabs?

 

[mbbuna]

kfisc i found a few pics of them but they looked red.good find where did you get it?

 

[kfisc]

thanks- lucked out on a google image search-

 

[cmersman]

that picture looks exactly like what they are. So are they harmful or are they safe...??? anybody know?

 

[mbbuna]

they are harmless