I.D. Please

[madkat]

Anyone know what this dude is? My Zoas have been slowlt disappearing and I found this guy on my rock today.

 

[luvabunny]

It looks like your basic emerald crab. I don't think they are known for eating zoas, more of a scavenger, but yours could have developed a taste.
If you don't want him, I will take him...

 

[lauremf2002]

Emerald crab. It eats algae. If you dont want it, I will take it! I need one in my tank and I dont have any zoas (Im pretty sure its not eating your zoas though)

 

[cody6766]

I had an emerald develop a taste for lps, so it's not out of the question. I had a few model citizens and a few coral eaters. I won't be risking it again.

 

[madkat]

he is the size of my thumbnail, if he is an emerald crab, he must have been tiny when he came in. I have 2 in my tank and he is less than half their size.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Something seems off about that crab. It's a Xanthid crab for sure, but something just doesn't seem right about the carapace and claws to be the Emerald Crab we all know and love. Are the claws flat at the ends or come to a point? That typically determines it's choice of food. Flat tips are for grasping and pulling while sharp tips are for piercing and rending. The tips look fairly dull from your picture, but you can't see them well.

My own opinion and could definitely be wrong, I don't believe it is an Emerald Crab and should be banished from the tank regardless of if it is the reason you're zoas are turning up missing.

Compare it to this picture.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Here. This picture shows the round, flat tips of crabs that typically eat algae. BUT... As a caveat, all crabs are opportunistic feeders. Even your most well behaved crab may suddenly take a liking to the flesh of something such as a coral.

 

[madkat]

They are sharp like needles, that is why I doubt him being an emerald crab. He also has fine hairs on his legs, which I think emerald do not.

 

[cjilge]

Paul told me once if the pinchers are sharp then they are bad. Not sure the type but definately not an emerald crab. I have had a few hitchhiker crabs turn ugly in the past and be glad you could catch him. to the sump he would go if it was me.

 

[luvabunny]

regardless what he really is, if you don't want him, don't flush him, I will take him.
I'm putting together an invert tank, and I think he's cool.

 

[madkat]

regardless what he really is, if you don't want him, don't flush him, I will take him.
I'm putting together an invert tank, and I think he's cool.

No one will get flushed, He will have a new home in the sump.

 

[oddballs]

Lots of emerald crabs have hairy legs. And some do not.

 

[sam3113]

Emerald crabs will eat zoas if they are hungry enough.I had two as my original clean up crew.my first coral was about 30 zoas.I woke up the next morning to find almost all gone with the crabs sitting there eating away.I was told later that they are opportunistic and behave better in a more established aquarium especially with bubble algae.


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[Ryan2013]

It looks like it could be a gorilla crab. Theyre are not generally desired in your tank. They have a pretty good pic in this thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1971321&highlight=hitchhikers

I had a couple of crabs similar to those come in my live rock. They were about the size of my pinky nail so they were very hard to catch.