Found another crab on my SPS, is it good for the SPS?

[ndolf]

Found another crab on my SPS, is it good for the SPS?

 

[premilove]

Found another crab on my SPS, is it good for the SPS?

Doesn't look good. Is he hairy?

 

[Hentz]

You can see how he is kinda hairy. Doesn't look good.

 

[ndolf]

He has a little hair on the legs, should I just throw him away?

Doesn't look good. Is he hairy?

 

[premilove]

I couldn't see it on my phone(tapatalk). But if he's hairy, throw him in the sump.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Hi,

I am not an expert on crabs, but it might be worth reading "Myth 7" in this article.

More myths can be found in my reading list thread (refer to "Mything the Point" articles written by Eric Borneman, which is under "Reef Keeping").

Cheers

 

[ndolf]

I think the "hairy" statement is more of a rule of thumb. I assume, although no reference to actual proof that most likely a hairy crab is bad for SPS. That's why I try to catch this crab in the first place. And, FYI it is VERY difficult to actually catch this one.

Hi,

I am not an expert on crabs, but it might be worth reading "Myth 7" in this article.

More myths can be found in my reading list thread (refer to "Mything the Point" articles written by Eric Borneman, which is under "Reef Keeping").

Cheers

 

[ndolf]

Couple more pictures to help with the ID.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Does the crab stay with your acropora at all times or wander off from it from time to time?

 

[ndolf]

It had been staying inside the Acro ever since I first noticed him. For about a month now.

Does the crab stay with your acropora at all times or wander off from it from time to time?

 

[Allmost]

no question that is a SPS eating crab.

 

[ndolf]

Thank you for the confirmation. Can you share with us how you can tell from looking at it?

no question that is a SPS eating crab.

 

[Allmost]

guess Ive caught and killed enough to recognize it

 

[vette.tech]

Black claws=no good

 

[ndolf]

This is the first time I hear black claws=bad. So, the rule of thumb is hairy + black claws = most likely bad?

Black claws=no good

 

[ct_vol]

Looks like a Black Mithrax Crab to me. Many people keep them in their reef tanks with no issues. However, yours appears to be a large male which are more prone to picking.

 

[vette.tech]

This is the first time I hear black claws=bad. So, the rule of thumb is hairy + black claws = most likely bad?

Of course this is not always the case but it seems to be at least a good banish to the sump amd then make a decision guideline

 

[GhostCon1]

Thank you for the confirmation. Can you share with us how you can tell from looking at it?

The good acro crabs are completely smooth and have a band running the carapace from eye stalk to eye stalk.

 

[ndolf]

Just caught one more crab. Not sure why, but it must had been in my tank for more than 8 months and I didn't even notice it before. I guess once you start looking at it, you will find it simply because you are looking.
I suspect this is a gorilla crab. But I am not sure, can anyone else confirm this?

The good acro crabs are completely smooth and have a band running the carapace from eye stalk to eye stalk.

 

[GhostCon1]

Hairy, bulky... if it looks like one and smells like one....