Help sps hitchhiker

[reefer2005]

Look what I just found on my new SPS. He looks bad. Should I get rid of it!!

 

[tangwang]

Looks like a Porcelain crab to me. If so, It's harmless... But its hard to tell without being able to see the body.



Matt

 

[reefer2005]

Don't Porcelain crab's have filter type claws. This gut does not. Just bug orange claws.

 

[sugartooth]

crab

crab

hi!
I just got a couple of pocilliporas and they came with crabs that look like that. I was told these were crabs specific to the type of pocillipora, I think they are good. (helps keep them clean, fends off attackers, etc)

 

[Confooseld]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7356000#post7356000 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer2005
Don't Porcelain crab's have filter type claws. This gut does not. Just bug orange claws.

No they have specialized mouth parts their claws are normal just not really used.

 

[reefer2005]

So you guy's think he's ok???

 

[PL-Reef]

keep him. he's cool.

 

[Pineapple House]

The crab that you have photographed is an Acropora crab (even though they are found in may other stony corals). They're completely harmless to the coral and will consume detritus and food that gets wedged between the branches of the coral.

Take Care,
Graham

 

[marine_freak]

No hairy legs... he is a keeper!!!!!

 

[clkwrk]

Yes its a keeper I have a breeding pair and around 20 of those type . Although the really like the poccis and stylos.

 

[reefer2005]

Thanks, for all the replies guys...I was about to banish him to the sump.

 

[MiddletonMark]

If you don't want it, I'll take it

One of many of the fascinating hitchhikers which often can serve good purpose [or not negative, at least] living in our corals.

Heck, I have two coral-living starfish that came on a Montipora, now live in a Seriatopora. Until they prove problematic, IMO give them a chance to show that they're a problem.

Then again, the line between that and a pest can be a fine line ... I wouldn't recommend letting coral-living flatworms/nudis/the-like a chance to `prove they're a problem'. Once small enough [and thus impossible to control/trap/remove] - I err on the QT, consider removal side.

Nice coral, BTW. Got a full colony shot?

 

[reefer2005]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7358641#post7358641 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MiddletonMark
If you don't want it, I'll take it

One of many of the fascinating hitchhikers which often can serve good purpose [or not negative, at least] living in our corals.

Heck, I have two coral-living starfish that came on a Montipora, now live in a Seriatopora. Until they prove problematic, IMO give them a chance to show that they're a problem.

Then again, the line between that and a pest can be a fine line ... I wouldn't recommend letting coral-living flatworms/nudis/the-like a chance to `prove they're a problem'. Once small enough [and thus impossible to control/trap/remove] - I err on the QT, consider removal side.

Nice coral, BTW. Got a full colony shot?

Here is the Store shot.

This is with lights off and using a flash. I havent really had time to get a good shot yet. You can see the crab in this shot also.

 

[wentreefgirl]

Hey middletonmark, love to see a pic of the coral living starfish. Sounds very cool.

 

[smoknreefrs]

the rule of thumb that i follow is; if it has hair on it, its the "bad" kind of crabs...

and i see no hair...

 

[clkwrk]

Here is mine

 

[wentreefgirl]

Oh, that is so cool.
Here is my crab. This was months ago. The coral is now a deep maroon.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/wentreefgirl/Tank%20pics/acgrocrab.jpg">

 

[reefer2005]

Cool pics guys. I left the crab in, and all seems well. Thanks for all the replies.