Zoanthid eating crab ID

[Cultivatedcoral]

I found this guy tearing at some zoanthids. He might have eaten other corals as well. Anyone ID this guy? I can't find anything on him.

 

[romsoccer12]

cant help with the ID but that is an absolutely beautiful crab, i wouldnt kill him

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

I'd trade him in to my LFS but tell them it eats zoas so they don't get mad at you. I know there is someone out there who would buy that crab.

 

[LeslieH]

You must have some caribbean rock or corals in your tank. That's the gaudy clown crab Platypodiella spectabilis which is only found in the caribbean. It lives in association with Palythoa caribaeorum & other palythoids. The young ones settle onto the coral polyps & eat through them to create a burrow for themselves. The adults live in the burrows. It seems to be unknown if the adults feed on their host zoanthids although it's suspected that they do. Whatever you do don't eat it ;-D as the crabs often have high level of palytoxin from associating with or eating zoanthids.

 

[Guygettnby]

i have always loved these crabs. the color and designs on the shell are wonderful. too bad your not close enough to me.... i would have taken it in a heart beat.