Gorilla crab?

[jiriki]

I think this is a gorilla crab... Kill it? (or if someone crazy wants it, they can come get it)

-Jon

 

[MarineFishGuy]

It is hard to tell from the pictures, but it definitely looks suspicious.
This article mentioned the black tips on the claws as a sure sign of a Gorilla Crab. They also suggested using a Chopstick to crush it if you can't catch it.
http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/thepackage/watchout.html

 

[jiriki]

I got him out. I'm about 95% sure it's a gorilla crab. He's sitting in a cup right now. My GF thinks it's cute.

 

[osu133lbs]

He looks pretty cool, but I never trust any crabs........

 

[szwab]

Have a better pic? Good chance its a commensal acro crab which are actually benificial to the coral.

 

[reefbegood]

2 SZWAB

 

[MSX-Jeff]

That is DEFINITELY a coral eater ( i can tell by the eyes)...I killed 2 today on some new corals that came in.

Best bet is to find a friend with a trigger or puffer that can snack on it.

 

[jiriki]

How about this one?

It has black tips on the claws. Whole body is fuzzy with white eyes. After pulling the acro out of the water, I can see areas of damage. I assume he ate parts of the acro. They look like "chips" take out of the sides.

He's in a small container at the moment. If no one wants him, I'll probably kill him. I don't have any fish that would snack on him.

 

[MSX-Jeff]

Most definitely an acro eater!!

 

[MarineFishGuy]

Yep, Furry body and black tips are two of the main characteristics of the Gorilla crab.
Check with Chris (Shmax) he has a FOWLR, maybe he has something that would like a snack.

 

[jakano]

I have had one of those for years. He is defintely a coral eater but I thought he was so cool I couldn't kill him. My wife named him hostess because she said he looked like one of those snowball snack cakes. He has lived in my various sumps since he was a tiny baby the size of my fingernail. He is in my 150 gallon sump now and I saw him last night for the first time in a while and his body is the size of a 50 cent piece now. I know it sounds silly but we will actually let me pick him up and hold and pet him. It feels like fur he is so fuzzy.

 

[porky]

Now I want one

 

[jiriki]

You can have mine

 

[MSX-Jeff]

:lol: porky :lol:

Next time we get a shipment in just come down and get them....there are usually several in the acro's that come in from the ocean

It seems that with the growth rates the corals have in the ocean they are able to keep growth up while the crab is grazing polyps.

 

[Reefdiver72]

I have a big one in my sump I got it from some one in the club he comes out and cleans the sump pretty well.