I've got A CRAB!

[RussC]

It never ceases to amaze me how much life is in an aquarium, especially life I didn't put there. Last night I was viewing the tank in the dark and noticed a most unusual crab. Very small, dark green crab with unusually long pinchers. I don't have a picture. And I'm looking for suggestions? I've not seen this type crab before. He was no larger than a dime. But what struck me as unusual were the length of his claws in proportion to his body. I've been looking at images online but not seen anything similar just yet. Any ideas?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Porcelin crab? A picture really would help.

 

[top shelf]

When you say green an emerald crab comes to mind. Merely a guess though without pictures.

 

[RussC]

Sorry, no photos. He disappeared very quickly when he saw me. A really unusual looking critter.

This critter's pincher arms were very skinny and long, with even smaller pinchers. Not like popeye arms you see on crabs like the porcelain crab or emerald crab. Not a critter I've seen before.

 

[Crooked Reef]

Like an arrow crab?

 

[RussC]

The pinchers were similar but the body was flat and more round. Man, I wish I had a picture. Anyone have a site with aquarium crabs? I looked on a hitchhikers guide with no luck.

 

[Crooked Reef]

Google image search a spider crab or spider decorator crab and see if they match.

 

[RussC]

You may be on to something! It looks like the spider crab. But its so small and the images show the crab gets tremendous!

 

[Crooked Reef]

You could try making a trap and putting it in at night.

 

[Uncle99]

Took me weeks to get mine out!
He was to smart for the trap, Finally after leaving him alone, he came out, backed into a crevice.....history..

 

[oldhead]

Maybe a sally light foot?

 

[RussC]

I've had several suggestions. And so far, the one suggestion that looks the most similar to what I saw is called a spider crab. Not a spider decorator crab. A spider crab. But what I saw is so small compared to what the spider crabs can become! If its a spider crab, I' m not worried about my fish. I'd be more worried about my dog and children! LOL

 

[Crooked Reef]

I think only the Japanese ones get huge. Common spider crab is a lot smaller.