Misc Crab ID: 6mm with White with Black Pattern

[sumozebra]

Hi all! First post on this forum. Been a long time reader but newbie in participation. Guess this is a share. I picked up this awesome little hitchhiker crab but got no clue as to what it is.

Doesn't bother anyone or anything, minds its own business, and likes to bury into the sand. It's tiny, around 6-8mm in total width.

Found him pretty awesome, especially in my 15 gallon (10 gallon display split 5 gallon sump DIY AIO)

If anyone knows or can ID what it is that'd be fantastic!

 

[dzhuo]

My guess would be a Lissocarcinus which is often found to be associated with various inverts such as sea cucumbers.

 

[sumozebra]

My guess would be a Lissocarcinus which is often found to be associated with various inverts such as sea cucumbers.

Thanks!

 

[NicL]

He looks kinda neat. Do you know if they are reef safe?

 

[squishifishi]

i couldn't put a specific name on it, but i'm pretty sure it is reef safe. could be a type of commensal crab.

 

[dzhuo]

He looks kinda neat. Do you know if they are reef safe?

You will have to nail down to the exact species. From the look of the photos, I am guessing it's a Lissocarcinus orbicularis which is totally reef safe. It makes a commensal relationship with sea cucumber and feeds on dead skins, mucus, etc. Other relatives such as Lissocarcinus laevis are more problematic and many have reported them eating various types of soft corals.