Hitchhiker's on Corals

[a1amap]

I qt most of the frags except the large one. I found a few extras on some so they remain seperated from the main tank.

I know the white acro crab is cool (no pic)

But 1 was another style of crab hopefully someone can identify with the bad pic. It is a light brown with nice size claws, about 1/4 inch in total length. It was holding up in a pink birds nest

the third is some sort of snail/nudi but my camera is not good at close range. It has a hard shell on 1/2 its back and a soft underside(mostly towards the front) without a snails ability to retract.
All items are in QT waiting a verdict.

Again sorry about the pics.

 

[mbbuna]

the snail thing is probably a stomatella, harmless

and the crab looks like it an Xanthid also harmless

 

[kaptken]

cant tell about the crab in the coral, but they generally stay in the coral and help keep it clean. ive had one in a green humilus for about 3 years now. never see him out of it. just waves one claw.

 

[a1amap]

Xanthid crab
Family Xanthiidae

Xanthid crabs are known as coral crabs due to their symbiotic association with coral reefs. They hide in the coral, feeding on its tissue in return for defending it against predators like crown-of-thorn starfish. The smaller crabs attack the starfish by nipping at it's tube feet.

Diet
Xanthid coral crabs eat coral polyps and mucus

Behaviour
Xanthid coral crabs form symbiotic relationships with coral. They live in and feed on the coral in return for defending it from more voracious predators such as crown-of-thorns starfish. Although the crab itself eats some of the coral's polyps, there is no evidence to suggest that the coral is harmed by this low-key feeding. In fact, corals with crabs associated are generally more healthy than those without, probably because they do not suffer large-scale attacks by more voracious predators


Sounds good and bad - but doesn't look exactly the same. Mine has light tan claws and legs and a dark brown body

But would you keep it?

 

[mbbuna]

i would keep it. there are many different kinds. ive had a few and have never seen them eating the coral or bothering the coral. i tried to google some photos of them but there wernt many. i have some photos in books of the species i think you have (and ive had that species) but they only give the family name Xanthid

 

[cmondo]

I say keep it. Plus the crab makes the piece more interesting.

 

[a1amap]

Well the snail is a stomatella. I got a better look at it on the glass of the qt tank. The crab looks cool and he doesn't see to leave the coral. They are supposed to eat some of the corals mucas but most things in nature are balanced. The coral probably will be better off with him. First sign of mis-behaving I'll sledge him. (just kidding) Worse case, Jon gets a new species tank.:hammer:

 

[mbbuna]

if you ever want to get rid of it ill put it in one of my acros

 

[mbbuna]

i think i gave you the wrong family name. i was thinking Trapeziidae but said Xanthid.

take a look at this link, bunch of photos there

http://decapoda.free.fr/search_result.php?faname=Trapeziidae

 

[a1amap]

Good call that looks like him.

 

[Gordonious]

Hey Al I got your PM. Sorry took me a while to post. I wrote a really long post to put on the Dr. Mac thread about the hitchhikers I found in my corals, but I wrote it on my cell and lost it when I got a call and pushed the wrong button. I got a crab as well, but it is hairy and doesn't look like a mithrix(sp.) of any sort so it is separated for now.

I know where you can get it IDed by a pro, but I will PM you where because here at Reef Central we are supposed to deny the existence of other forums and websites. I should come over and get a better picture of the crab for you before we ask though.

I love tropical crustaceans. I hope one year I get to study them in grad school.

Jon

 

[kaptken]

I just noticed a little white acro crab in one of my Dr. Mac frags last night too. he's doing good. now i have two. I like freefies!