Found a crab in my tank!

[jimidalock]

I don't know how he go there, probably came in on something. But it is white with black face and claws. Does anyone know what kind it is? And whether it is reef safe?

 

[DontXtripNfall]

got a pic?

 

[mstrofdisaster]

I don't know how he go there, probably came in on something. But it is white with black face and claws. Does anyone know what kind it is? And whether it is reef safe?

A crab with black claws is a predator, and is not reef safe in most cases.

Try looking here to see if you can find the crab thats in your tank. I had 2 xanthidae crabs to get rid of, not fun, but doable.

http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyummy42/hitchcrabs.html

 

[Deanos]

Did it look like this Gorilla Crab?

 

[jimidalock]

got a pic?

I can't get a pic, He's small and likes to stay between the LR.

 

[jimidalock]

Ya Deanos, looks like Gorilla Crab!

 

[BrooklynsReefMan1]

If it was a little yellower then you say i can say its for sure a gorrilla crab think someone posted a pic alreadybut black claws or painted claws are usually more aggressive

 

[jimidalock]

Looks like it's eating algae off the LR.

 

[cybermeez]

Probably some sort of xanthid crab. I've had several in my tank (have one right now that's white with maroon markings) and not one has ever given me any trouble or harmed my corals. The old school of thought was that these crabs were "bad" and far too many were dispatched needlessly IMHO (still are as old wives tales die hard). Newer research indicates that they are omnivores (eat algae and scraps of food your fish miss) that form commensal, mutually beneficial relationships, with corals. The coral provides the crab with some of its nutritional requirements and he crab in return defends the coral from predators like crown of thorns starfish. Undoubtedly someone will tell you to just kill it, but I wouldn't be so hasty. Innocent until proven guilty I say, and then put him in your fuge instead of executing him.

 

[DevIouS]

That's one ugly sukka!
:dead1:

Did it look like this Gorilla Crab?