Teddy Bear Crab - It's carrying anemones (well, aptasia, lol)

[wisebonzai]

Now to find out more about the Teddy Bear Crab I found in my tank. I had found him in my 25 a month ago, about a dime size, (either that, or I actually have 2, one in each tank) and somehow he got to the 75 gallon tank.

He's about an inch and half across, covered in long cream colored fur and carrying two aptasia...one in each claw, which he's using to fend off fish who get too close. He's really cute and I don't have any snails or crabs or shrimp in the big tank, however, I worry he will hurt fish or something. I looked him up...he is a Teddy Bear Crab.

I believe he came in on some corals I bought online.

I had him in my hand last night, didn't think about it...looked him over and threw him back in while redoing the decorum in the tank. Now, I am wondering if I made a poor choice and will I ever be able to catch the little booger again?

Does anyone know about this crab species? Thanks ahead of time...Renee

 

[tropoasis]

Well.... you didn't post a pic, so I'll have to guess that it's a Pom Pom crab you're talking about.

They carry actual anemones, not aptasia in their claws.

Reef Safe, does not hurt other inhabitants (that I've heard of), the anemones are for self-protection.

 

[wisebonzai]

Photos of the crab

Photos of the crab

Here are some images of the crab. I will send links to the images. In the one that is first, you can see he still has his anemone in his claw, but then drops it to go get the fish I baited him with. His body is approximately 1 inch around.

Here is a link about them with anemone in his claws, like mine carries, but he is carrying aptasia in my tank, mainly because the only anemone in there are really huge.

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_1...ategory=4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4


Renee

 

[bluenassarius]

someone should adopt him and name him shaggy

 

[Twisted]

yeah, ugly little bugger.

You want an anemone carrying crab go for this one. Me and Tim both bought one of these in Alameda about a year and a half ago, and they hide really good. I lost mine awhile back, not sure if Tim still has his.
Sadly they are beautiful, but rarely seen once in the tank.
http://deeperblue.net/article.php/208

 

[wisebonzai]

OH! That is TOO COOL! His colors are awesome. Mine carries little aptasias just like that.
Renee