My father in law want to Galveston, TX a few days ago and picked up a nice looking shell on the beach, without my knowing he dropped it inside my tank. Well I come home with this monster in it! what is it and will it kill my tank? Will it get bigger? I have a 65 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump. Thanks for the help!
Help ID Monster Crab!
- Thread starter Ajae
- Start date
Bent
I got nothin'
lpsouth1978
New member
Not sure on exact species, but I would remove it from my tank. All crabs are opportunistic eaters. A crab that size could easily make a meal of a fish or other inverts. It can also move your scape around and cause issues. I say you are better safe than sorry.
thanks!
billdogg
Well-known member
Because you have already introduced livestock to your tank, PLEASE DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE OCEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE!!!
The reason is that it could have (probably has) been introduced to non-native life. Returning it to the ocean where you are could introduce problem species to your area. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that you'll be letting sharkzilla loose on unsuspecting citizen, but that is how problems start.
Put him in your sump, trade him to another aquarist, or perhaps a LFS might take it off your hands.
PLEASE!!!
The reason is that it could have (probably has) been introduced to non-native life. Returning it to the ocean where you are could introduce problem species to your area. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that you'll be letting sharkzilla loose on unsuspecting citizen, but that is how problems start.
Put him in your sump, trade him to another aquarist, or perhaps a LFS might take it off your hands.
heathlindner25
New member
It's a good rule of thumb once it's gone in a fish tank it can't go back to the ocean.
I have done some research and they are native the Virginia coast area, which is where i'm going. 2 days in a tank and back in ocean will still be a problem?
happyhourhero
New member
Its a bit of a red herring but you should see the staggering number of lionfish off of Pensacola because of people who released them back into the ocean. They are a serious problem to the entire reef ecosystem in the gulf of mexico.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnAbtkMdCoI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnAbtkMdCoI
yeah it's a bit sad to see, but I'm only thinking about because this crab is found along the coast of south east VA and down. If it wasn't I wouldn't even think about it.
Just put it in your sump and offer it some food occasionally and a handful of larger empty shells. You definitely should NOT take it to the beach.
I also have one of those, that I have noticed getting much larger than a micro hermit. He's been a good citizen with euphyllia corals, and darn him, won't eat things I wish he would. But I may indeed, if he goes to a larger shell-size, nab him and let him live long and prosper in my planted sump.
Shawn O
Active member
This species is reported to eat bivalve mollusks but will usually eat dead animals, etc, primarily a scavenger. Gets up to 2" in size. Just beware they could eat fish or invertebrates. Not saying they will, just that they might. It's not a problem, until it is a problem.
In my FOWLR system, I plan to add one or two very small ones and wait until there is, if ever, a need to remove them. Until then, I'll enjoy the animals for their entertainment value. Were I ever to keep any expensive livestock in my tank, I'd probably put all larger hermits in the sump.
In my FOWLR system, I plan to add one or two very small ones and wait until there is, if ever, a need to remove them. Until then, I'll enjoy the animals for their entertainment value. Were I ever to keep any expensive livestock in my tank, I'd probably put all larger hermits in the sump.
