Help ID this Crab please

[Elum]

Hello,

I Setup my first marine tank a little over a week ago, i have found various small shrimp, plant, coral, barnacle, worms and other crustacean species On the rock i am using to cycle. The biggest Creature i have found is this crab i have pics of below, i havn't managed to get a good shot of its legs, but they're a lightish brown color and very hairy, looks more like a spider than a crab, from behind. the crab is very timid and any slight movement scares it deep into the rock. Hope you guys can ID it for me.

In This picture you will notice one of its legs curling up to the rock above it

best shot of the crabs pincers i have managed to get

 

[Elum]

From what i can find it must be a black/cream/brown "Emerald crab"?

 

[Avi]

what color are its eyes, Elum?

 

[Leviathan_XE]

From the 1st pick it's eyes appear to be purple and it's claws do appear to be cupped at the end. For what it's worth...

 

[Guygettnby]

it is a mithrax crab. they come in many different color combos.

 

[Elum]

Thanks for the responses

Its eyes are purple.

I have been feeding it half peas every day or 2. Doesn't move around much, and have never seen it leave the rock, It systematically gently pinches all over the rock and eats it. i rather like it. keeps me occupied untill i start getting some fish e.t.c.

 

[BEASTIEPENDENT]

One cannot say from these pictures what genus or species this is. But one can say that mainly feeds on algae and detritus – You see that by the spoon-like pincer-tips. Predators have no "spoons" on the tips of their chelae but pointed and sharp pincers.

 

[seahorse63098]

have you ever thought it was not a crab it looks like a galatheidae. research it and see if it looks right!

 

[BEASTIEPENDENT]

I'm sorry, for an Anomuran the carapace and the claws don't match, but especially it misses the two long antenna that would classify it as an Anomuran crab.

No, this is a true crab (Brachyura) and I looked again what it could resemble: Should be a Xanthid crab, maybe genus Pilodius – the pincers with that cone-shaped tubercles on it are quite special. In fact this feature is so unique I would guess it is the genus Pilodius.

 

[EaZy DuZ iT]

Post better pictures, I cant tell.

 

[LPS_Blasto]

Hairy or fuzzy crab with sharp pincers - bad for the reef

Cupped pincers that are flat or rounded on the ends and not a lot of body hair - usually okay

What kind is it? I don't know. I hate crabs and don't keep any in my tanks anymore. :uzi: