Looking for an ID
- Thread starter ChaseNet
- Start date
Difficult to tell without a good shot of the claws, but I'd say maybe a box or shamefaced crab. Does it have big claws with the tips pointed down?
Box crabs are generally harmless to most inverts, but they can get large and will push things around. They're very nice crabs, though, and one that small is absolutely not going to break anything. Get a better shot of its claws, and then just leave it alone until it actively starts bulldozing. Some species might not even get that big, either. If/when it gets big, don't kill it, just put it in a sump or refugium or find someone who can. You can probably find someone who'll take it.
Box crabs are generally harmless to most inverts, but they can get large and will push things around. They're very nice crabs, though, and one that small is absolutely not going to break anything. Get a better shot of its claws, and then just leave it alone until it actively starts bulldozing. Some species might not even get that big, either. If/when it gets big, don't kill it, just put it in a sump or refugium or find someone who can. You can probably find someone who'll take it.
A small bottle trap would probably work. Cut the top off a bottle, invert it, shove it back into the tube, stuff meaty food into it, and set it on its side for things to crawl into. You're just about guaranteed to catch a few worms at the very least, and if the little guy can climb into the trap, you'll get him. You can also try just catching him by hand, he looks small enough to not do any damage to you.
Do you know where he's hiding?
If he is a box, and he sure looks like one, he shouldn't be a problem until he gets at least an inch across. What is he now, maybe half that? Less?
Do you know where he's hiding?
If he is a box, and he sure looks like one, he shouldn't be a problem until he gets at least an inch across. What is he now, maybe half that? Less?
He does have crab legs, just (probably) skinny ones, and he has little crab eyeballs too. And possibly wide claws- definitely try to get a shot of those.
You may be able to see him at night if you cover a flashlight lens in red cellophane and use that. Many aquatic creatures can't see red light, so you'll have half a chance at seeing him before he sees you if you sneak up a couple hours after lights out. Actually, you'll see a lot of cool stuff, most likely.
You may be able to see him at night if you cover a flashlight lens in red cellophane and use that. Many aquatic creatures can't see red light, so you'll have half a chance at seeing him before he sees you if you sneak up a couple hours after lights out. Actually, you'll see a lot of cool stuff, most likely.
