ID crab

[Fermat]

My mystery crab came out today... Best pics I could get so far. Any ideas?

 

[Randall_James]

wow really hard to see but "Typical" rule is if it has black tipped claws, it is bad... (and I think I see black tips)

 

[Pistonkev]

Bad crab. Flush him...

 

[Fermat]

I was expecting to have to get rid of him... Just wanted confirmation. So... Any good threads on how to catch these guys?

 

[sir_dudeguy]

bad pic, but it looks somewhat like an emerald. All crabs are opportunistic tho, and can be a risk. Even hermits (actually i should say ESPECIALLY hermits )

keep it at your own risk

 

[Randall_James]

I have a small jar (capers) that I drop some mysis in, the bury in the sand, crab walks over, and drops in.

 

[coyoteseven]

With what I can make out from the pics, looks like a Gorilla/hairy crab... not exactly reef friendly. However, I have one lone surviving hairy crab in my 90g that's a little bigger than a quarter and really hasn't messed with anything, yet. I've tried every trap, grabbers and skewers to get him, but he is either very smart or very lucky. The rest of his brethren ended up as Pookie (my mantis) food.

If you catch him, check with local reefers in your area, there might be a mantis keeper that will be more than willing to take him off your hands.

 

[Pistonkev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9519554#post9519554 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coyoteseven
With what I can make out from the pics, looks like a Gorilla/hairy crab... not exactly reef friendly. However, I have one lone surviving hairy crab in my 90g that's a little bigger than a quarter and really hasn't messed with anything, yet. I've tried every trap, grabbers and skewers to get him, but he is either very smart or very lucky. The rest of his brethren ended up as Pookie (my mantis) food.

If you catch him, check with local reefers in your area, there might be a mantis keeper that will be more than willing to take him off your hands.

That is what I think too. But I would get him out if you can.

 

[2fishy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9519554#post9519554 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coyoteseven
With what I can make out from the pics, looks like a Gorilla/hairy crab... not exactly reef friendly. However, I have one lone surviving hairy crab in my 90g that's a little bigger than a quarter and really hasn't messed with anything, yet. I've tried every trap, grabbers and skewers to get him, but he is either very smart or very lucky. The rest of his brethren ended up as Pookie (my mantis) food.

If you catch him, check with local reefers in your area, there might be a mantis keeper that will be more than willing to take him off your hands.

Who let you out of the Lounge?!

 

[Fermat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9519554#post9519554 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coyoteseven
With what I can make out from the pics, looks like a Gorilla/hairy crab... not exactly reef friendly.

You can't tell from the picture... That he appears to be fairly smooth. He does however have the patented black tipped claws. I'll probably try to remove him.

 

[caneelbay89]

In the other invertebrates forum, they are collecting crabs (unwanted) you may want to donate.

Good luck!

 

[Paintbug]

the eyes look like a Trapezia crab of some kind. but without seeing the entire crab i cant say for sure. it could be a Mithrax Crab as well.

 

[Fermat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9524347#post9524347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paintbug
the eyes look like a Trapezia crab of some kind. but without seeing the entire crab i cant say for sure. it could be a Mithrax Crab as well.

Hm, I haven't heard of those. Thanks. I'll do some study later, but can you answer quickly if these are as bad as some of the possibilities mentioned earlier?

 

[Paintbug]

Trapezia crabs usually live with a coral, thus their common name is Coral Crab. most the ones i have seen have been in SPS corals. the corals usually do better with the crab as the crab cleans and protects the coral. but like i said it could be a Mithrax crab, which are usually destructive.

 

[rodgod20]

I can't tell you want it is....but...please don't kill him. Put him in the sump. He didn't ask to be in this situation

 

[Paintbug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9526232#post9526232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rodgod20
I can't tell you want it is....but...please don't kill him. Put him in the sump. He didn't ask to be in this situation

excellent point! from the looks of it hes eating that red macro algae. may not even really hurt anything in the tank. but you just dont know. if you can catch and take some good full body pics, getting a positive ID would be much easier. then you can put it in the sump, or try to find him a new home.

 

[Avi]

It definitely looks like one that I have in my reef and I an tell you that catching it is really difficult...I just can't get mine no matter what trap I try. It doesn't do much damage EXCEPT for zoanthids which it eats like a kid with candy. It's cost me a fortune.

 

[Fermat]

After looking at dozens of pictures on the web and in books, I'm actually leaning towards it being a xanthid crab. I don't think it is a trapezid.

This is based on its general wide face, its small size, and its behavior. So far, he never leaves the safety of the mushroom rock he rode in on, though I know I shouldn't count on that. As a "coral crab", he'll live in and defend the coral. Of course, he'll eat the same coral he's defending, so I'll keep an eye on that, but shrooms are pretty hardy and propogate quickly.

I'm going to make a few casual attempts to capture him if for no other reason than to better identify him.

For those concerned... I'll try to find a better home for him if I do catch him.