Creepy Crab ID Please

[LeanneP]

It amazes me that I have had my tank for a year and a half and I suddenly see this furry brown and black crab in my rocks that I have never seen before. I can't get a photo of him because he just looks like the rocks. He is brown with black claws and kind of fuzzy. I have done some searches but can't find any that look like that. Anyone know what it is? Is he good or bad?

Leanne

[kien]

this ?

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Arthropoda/CrustaceanPIX/SWCrabs/IMG_9674%5B1%5D%20HH%20crab%20id.jpg

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

Maybe this one Gorilla crab
http://research.myfwc.com/images/gallery/20080124_173808_21518.jpg

[jorjef]

Extermination is the only option....Nothing that walks on legs is welcome in my tank... including shrimp.

[spit.fire]

It amazes me that I have had my tank for a year and a half and I suddenly see this furry brown and black crab in my rocks that I have never seen before. I can't get a photo of him because he just looks like the rocks. He is brown with black claws and kind of fuzzy. I have done some searches but can't find any that look like that. Anyone know what it is? Is he good or bad?

Leanne
if its a crab, its generally bad, unless it doesnt have normal claws (porcelain crab, emerald crab, pompom crab)

[LeanneP]

this ?

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Arthropoda/CrustaceanPIX/SWCrabs/IMG_9674%5B1%5D%20HH%20crab%20id.jpg.

Similar but it has solid black claws and its body is fuzzy. Similar looking and size of an emerald crab. I`ll try and get a picture later when someone is home to hold the flashlight.

[LeanneP]

Maybe this one Gorilla crab
http://research.myfwc.com/images/gallery/20080124_173808_21518.jpg
He is evil looking!! Not right colour. More solid brown with black claws.

[jagermaier]

Sounds like it could be a Mithrax crab. Some say Mithrax are safe but I personally don't like or trust any crabs... :razz:

[LeanneP]

Sounds like it could be a Mithrax crab. Some say Mithrax are safe but I personally don't like or trust any crabs... :razz:

Yup, I think that you are the winner!! Are Emerald crabs and Mithrax crabs the same then. Do they change colour because I did have an Emerald but hadn't seen it in ages and thought it died. This one is a different colour though. Same crab maybe?

[subman]

hippo crab?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b87/subman001/hippo_crab_zpscb15f804.jpg

[paddyob]

This is not like an emerald.

Red eye crabs are bad news. Remove. Remove. Remove.

[gregzz4]

Hairy crabs are generally 'bad'

Put a piece of people-food style shrimp in a glass and lean it up against the rock he's in
He'll be in the glass in the morning, or the next morning ( don't smell the shrimp when you pull it out :surprise: )

Take a pic for us and/or take him to the LFS for ID, or to be fed to something hungry :twised:

[LeanneP]

Hairy crabs are generally 'bad'

Put a piece of people-food style shrimp in a glass and lean it up against the rock he's in
He'll be in the glass in the morning, or the next morning ( don't smell the shrimp when you pull it out :surprise: )

Take a pic for us and/or take him to the LFS for ID, or to be fed to something hungry :twised:


So I am curious to know why these crabs are so bad? Do they eat corals?

[madchild]

I had a hitch hiker crab in my tank... The glass trap didn't work so I got a syringe with a thick needle and skewered the little bastard. :what:

[paddyob]

So I am curious to know why these crabs are so bad? Do they eat corals?

Opportunistic feeders. Could start taking snails out. Hermits. Eventually it might enjoy a fish for dinner. The one I had killed three.

[gregzz4]

My scary crab ate our sea hare
Grabbed it by the soft side from inside a hole when the hare slid by and pulled it in
The 4" hare was half eaten by a 1" crab before I found it

[LeanneP]

My scary crab ate our sea hare
Grabbed it by the soft side from inside a hole when the hare slid by and pulled it in
The 4" hare was half eaten by a 1" crab before I found it

Ok, I guess the crab must go. You have me convinced!

[reefme]

hippo crab?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b87/subman001/hippo_crab_zpscb15f804.jpg

Got one of this crab. Been eating my wallet.