ID this crustacean

[mikev_us]

I just pulled this thing from out of the skeleton of my elegance coral. It appears to have created a little burrow for itself. It would keep its flat, thick head flush with the lip of the burrow.


Anyone know what it is?

 

[cloak]

Gall crab?

http://www.melevsreef.com/node/1765

 

[Betta132]

Looks like a gall crab. They sometimes slightly irritate their host coral, but they're usually harmless. I suggest you put it back, they're unusual and neat. Plus, critter-safe crab!

 

[mikev_us]

Thanks for the ID. I did not put it back in the tank. That elegance is just on the other side of surviving a tank crash. I don't want it to be any more stress.ed I'm pretty sure that the crab has been in there for almost a year.

 

[Betta132]

Perhaps put it on a healthy coral? If not, maybe offer it to someone with healthy corals that would be fine with that? I don't hear about these often, they seem to be an unusual find.
Or... you might be able to put it back, if it's been there for a year. The coral is probably used to it by now.