borillion_star
New member
is this a mithrax?
Mithrax or not?!
- Thread starter borillion_star
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MichaelBrock
New member
Not a mithrax. I think what you have there is a stone crab.
borillion_star
New member
I gave him to the LFS naughty crab tank 
borillion_star
New member
Uhh hmmm......?
Xanthid coral crabs form symbiotic relationships with coral. They live in and feed on the coral in return for defending it from more voracious predators such as crown-of-thorns starfish. Although the crab itself eats some of the coral's polyps, there is no evidence to suggest that the coral is harmed by this low-key feeding. In fact, corals with crabs associated are generally more healthy than those without, probably because they do not suffer large-scale attacks by more voracious predators.
Xanthid coral crabs form symbiotic relationships with coral. They live in and feed on the coral in return for defending it from more voracious predators such as crown-of-thorns starfish. Although the crab itself eats some of the coral's polyps, there is no evidence to suggest that the coral is harmed by this low-key feeding. In fact, corals with crabs associated are generally more healthy than those without, probably because they do not suffer large-scale attacks by more voracious predators.
greenbean36191
Premium Member
Whoever wrote that about the symbiosis seems to be a little mixed up. Most xanthid crabs do not form symbioses with corals. In fact, most would be perfectly happy to eat corals. In general, crabs in this family are highly destructive in reef tanks.
The crabs that protect corals from predators are mostly in the trapeziid family, rather than the xanthid family.
The crabs that protect corals from predators are mostly in the trapeziid family, rather than the xanthid family.
borillion_star
New member
Re: Mithrax or not?!
kk thanks!
kk thanks!
