please id. Is it reef safe?

[reeferhabit]

Is this reef safe? I thought it was an emerald but want to make sure it will not pick my corals, fish or my cortez crabs.

 

[Lupine]

It does appear to be an Emerald Mithrax (Mithrax scultptus). They have fuzzy legs, some more so than others.

 

[reeferhabit]

do most reefers keep emerald crabs? I would rather not add the critter if he is going to pick at my corals.

 

[mscarpena]

Its 50/50 some do some dont. I have seen them eat a whole zoo and other corals. I would not do it, but I am cautious.

 

[skinny sam]

I think as long as it doesn't have pointed claws you will be just fine adding it to your tank as it looks like an emerald crab to me.

 

[mscarpena]

I think as long as it doesn't have pointed claws you will be just fine adding it to your tank as it looks like an emerald crab to me.

Pointy claws is just a guideline. I have personally seen with my own 2 eyes and emerald crab eat zoos and lps.

 

[noahm]

I have had many emerald/mithrax (yours does appear a 'hairy emerald'). I would say about 1 or 2 in ten will go rogue and eat corals, usually zoas. It seems to be either yes or no, not sometimes though, so if you catch the one it is easy (they grab hard, but usually stay still) to just pick him out. I have about 7 at this point and all are good citizens.

 

[J. Montgomery]

I almost always keep an emerald crab in my tank for bubble algae control.

 

[jasonw52]

I'd say not safe and not emerald. I've always been advised to be safe and take it back.

 

[jasonw52]

Well also look at it's claws. If they are flat at the ends that is a good sign. The flat ends are used for grabbing algae V's pointed for grabbing fish...

 

[t11t5]

If I find any crabs I throw them in my skimmer section. I have my skimmer on a stand to get the right water height. Under the skimmer stand is some liverock and such...

 

[BEASTIEPENDENT]

That IS a Mithraculus sculptus. They are primarily (!) alage eaters… but that doesn't mean they sometimes pick something else…