Crab ID

[tilly]

Here is a pic of my crab that I FINALLY managed to capture. Any ideas? He/she is cream colored with purple blotches like coraline algea. He has pink and purple bands of color on his legs. His claw are medium sized with small pinchers. He is hairy and he is nocturnal.
I hope these pictures show up. If they dont'...can someone help? Thanks!

 

[tilly]

Ok...trying the pictures again.

 

[Rich-n-poor]

boil in water for 15 mins eat with lemon and butter..........(couldnt help myself)

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[bensenvill]

yes, yes, I had one of these. He was probably in my tank for 6 months, killing fish left and right and dragging the bodies back into cracks in the rocks. I definitely recommend butter with these guys

 

[kervina]

I don't want to sound too contrarian here, but my personal philosophy is to leave anything alone unless I see it misbehaving.

FWIW, if the crab isn't hurting anything, I'd leave it alone, especially since nobody has identified it beyond "I had one that looked like that".

A lot of harmless marine animals look similar to harmful ones as a form of self-defense. If someone can identify it as "This is a xxxxcrab, which exists solely on a diet of things costing a minimum of $20 per day..." then by all means get rid of it. Otherwise, I'd just keep an eye on it and see what it does.

 

[tilly]

I agree with you Kervina. That is why I'm taking the time to try to identify him...and have him safe in the quarantine tank right now. I am missing two mythrax crabs and a peppermint shrimp. It's hard to know what he does because he is nocturnal and as soon as the flashlight hits him....he's gone. I think he's been in the tank for 5 or 6 months and I've only ever seen him 3 times! I'm alarmed by how fast he has grown.
Tilly

[ October 29, 2001: Message edited by: tilly ]</p>

 

[tilly]

wow Terrance...how big was your crab? I have not lost any fish.....YET. I'm getting the feeling I need to find a new home for him. He's not quite big enough to boil...lol....otherwise, I LOVE crab!

 

[lxstang]

I had one of those guys in my tank.He killed two emerald crabs and some snails too. Get rid of him!!

 

[kervina]

Does your flashlight project red or white light? I have a piece of clear red plastic over the lens on my light, and I've never noticed anything running from it... Maybe you could try that and get some confirmation on his behavior?

 

[tilly]

Kervina,
I didn't think about doing that. I ended up taking him to my LFS who in turn gave him to someone who had an appropriate tank for him. I need to remember that "red flashlight" trick.
Thanks