Nifty crab hitchhiker.

[djtodd]

He's currently in a glass prison on my coffee table, but I'm wondering if I should pitch him, banish him to the sump, or re-introduce him to the display.

In other words, ID him?

<img src="http://www.synthetic.org/lj/crab1.jpg">

<img src="http://www.synthetic.org/lj/crab2.jpg">

<img src="http://www.synthetic.org/lj/crab3.jpg">

<img src="http://www.synthetic.org/lj/crab4.jpg">

<img src="http://www.synthetic.org/lj/crab5.jpg">

 

[reefcrazed]

Harlequin crab???

 

[catdoc]

No idea what he is, but I'd probably put him in a sump or even a nano just for him. Very pretty!

 

[djtodd]

He has been banished to the sump. I wonder if I'll ever see him again.

 

[TheORKINMan]

Whatever it is it looks awesome!

 

[InvaderJim]

After doing some research he looks to be a Xanthid crab of some sort. Oval shaped body, black tipped claws, reds, grays etc.

That thing is sweet. You can send him to me if you don't want him.

 

[TheORKINMan]

Did some googling myself and he is called a Gaudy Clown Crab(Platypodiella spectabilis). Based on the little information out there he appears NOT to be reef safe. WWM had him eating zoas.

 

[dc]

All the cool ones are evil.

 

[Kigs]

that is one sweet looking crab. I'll take him off your hands if you don't want him.

 

[djtodd]

Heh. Sorry guys, as he's been banished to the sump I doubt I'll see him again. I have a fair bit of rockwork in there too.

 

[LeslieH]

Gaudy clown crab. Platypodiella spectabilis. It's a xanthid and an opportunistic predator willing to go after anything it can.

 

[sandshifter532]

I never saw that type of Hitchicker crab before lol

 

[Grey Reefer]

Oh man. Those are cool colored little crabs. I once saw one that had a skull and cross bones pattern on it. Where did you get your live rock from?

 

[chrisstie]

those come from caribbean waters I just got a cool book that IDs stuff in that general location (and FL) and was like omg thats the crab in my book! gaudy clown indeed.

Good call with the sump!

 

[Grey Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9300638#post9300638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LeslieH
Gaudy clown crab. Platypodiella spectabilis. It's a xanthid and an opportunistic predator willing to go after anything it can.

How would you know LesileH all the way over in CA when this crab is from the Atlantic/Gulf area? Hmmmmmm....(I'm kidding in case you missed it.)

 

[LeslieH]

I get around!
http://www.nhm.org/guana/bvi-invt/bvi-surv/images/crab-i06/02037.htm