gorilla crab?

[keithntracy]

we found this guy in our rock. tanks been up for seven months now! all 140 lbs of rock came from the same place. just funny we never saw him before! so far the only missing critter was a half inch peppermint shrimp for all we know it could still be in there. thought we'd share a pic!

 

[chrisstie]

If I found him in my tank I'd banish him to the sump I think.

 

[plateboy3293]

I second that

 

[o0xerog0o]

Same here... he's an ugly bugger!

 

[keithntracy]

oh he's not ugly! lol
we'll probably put him in our 12 gallon.

 

[AnimaliA]

I dont think it is a gorilla crab (a member of the xanthid crab family). The pincers are not sharp, and the body looks more like a mithrax Crab (like an emerald crab). The pincers on your crab do not seem to be designed to tear flesh, instead they seem to be suited for feeding on algae.

To be safe, it wouldn't be a bad idea to put in your sump and observe.

Here is a good link to find out more about different hitchhiker crabs:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/swcrabidfaq2.htm

Good Luck

 

[Guygettnby]

i second the fact that it is not a gorilla crab. i wouldnt banish him to the sump. like AnimaliA said double check with a site to try and id him but i doubt he is a bad crab.

 

[keithntracy]

thanks!! i spy on him at nite and watch him eat stuff off the rocks...so far, no missing tankmates..

 

[illybang]

is it me, or does he look high?