Help identifying a crab

[iaJim]

Found this on a rock I was taking out of the tank today. Anyone have any ID or information on this guy? Should he stay a resident of my tank? I've had some zooanthids disappearing, and wondered if he was the culprit. About 1/4" x 3/8"

Thanks.

 

[Dubbin1]

Bad guy, take it out.

 

[iaJim]

Any idea what it is? Could it chew on leather corals?

 

[Blown 346]

I dont know what type it is, but I can tell you, all crabs will eat what ever they can for a meal. Have it being, your fish, inverts, or corals. In my eyesall crabs are evil and have the same mentality, they will kill and eat what they can catch.

 

[iaJim]

Here's another picture in a dish.

 

[Reef'in Colorado]

If the tips of its claws are flat it is probably an algae eater, if they are pointed it is likely predatory.

 

[iaJim]

I think, from this view, that they are pointed.

 

[sundance1]

Yep,they look pointed in the pic,try placing it in your fuge if ya don't want to kill it.

 

[iaJim]

I don't have a fuge yet. Anybody want a buddy? I hate to kill it.

 

[Sindjin]

Its Cool looking. Id set up a nano for him and any other unwanted critters you find.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

send him my way he would love my fuge

 

[LeslieH]

Thanks for the second shot. It's a pebble crab of some sort, family Xanthidae. I couldn't find the exact species in any of my books. Xanthids are mainly predators so it's not reef safe and a refugium is an excellent place for it.