What kind of crab is this?

[DjPhato]

Hi all, do you know what crab is this? I think I have two and came with the live rocks. Could they be the reason why I hear clicking sound when lights are off?
Thanks

 

[griss]

The pics is a bit fuzzy but it looks like a Gorilla Crab. Gorilla crabs are usually identified by the black tips to their claws and their hairy appearance. They can be destructive as they are omnivores and will eat other inverts, small fish and sometimes pick at corals.

I doubt the crab is causing the clicking sounds when lights are off, that sound is usually caused by a Pistol Shrimp or Mantis Shrimp.

 

[Reefing102]

Agree with Griss. Looks like a Gorilla, a bad guy but not the cause of the clicks.

 

[DjPhato]

Thanks a lot for the info! This is about 2-3cm, should I be worried about it? I had few small snail dying but most are still live since months now….might be very tricky to capture as I saw it only once while lights were off and seems to be very shy animal

 

[griss]

Thanks a lot for the info! This is about 2-3cm, should I be worried about it? I had few small snail dying but most are still live since months now….might be very tricky to capture as I saw it only once while lights were off and seems to be very shy animal

Yes, they are elusive and , IMO, you should remove it. Take a glass and lean it at an angle against rock near where you’ve seen the crab. Put food in the glass and leave overnight. The crab (hopefully) will try to get the food and won’t be able to climb out of the glass.