Crab Hitchhiker ID?

[tlhood]

Was walking by my tank while the moon lights were on and noticed this guy sitting out on my rock. He seems pretty shy, runs into a hole when he sees me around, which is why I had a hard time getting a picture.

He was picking on the algae on the rocks, and doesn't seem to be irritating my snails and hermits. He's got no hair, and he is a light blueish colour with stripes on his legs. Should I try to catch him? I'm looking to put corals in the tank.

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

Its hard to ID from your photo and description I recommend as you still know and see where he is to remove and place in a cup for better ID cause if you loose him... its always on your mind as a possibility of a bad case of crabs


Oh yes and welcome to the board

[tlhood]

The piece of rock he is in appears to have a tunnel network through it, so I would have to take out the entire rock which is about 9 lbs and at the bottom. Ill keep an eye out and try to grab a better picture of it.

Thanks for the welcome

[WarDog]

Bait a trap right outside of his lair just before lights off and wait! Only way to truly ID.

[tlhood]

Last night I managed to sneak up on the tank during lights out and use a flashlight to find him. I'm thinking he might be a kind of Xanthidae, but his claws and body are wrong compared to the pictures I can find.

[hillegom]

This might help

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchcrabs.html

[noirsphynx]

That's a porcelain crab, great find! Harmless filter feeders.

[tlhood]

I thought this guy had died a month ago, but it appears I was wrong. I got home fairly late and my lights were off, and I happened to see this guy out d the corner of my eye. He has doubled in size and I got a view of his other pincer. He doesn't look like the porcelains I have seen. While his one pincer is large, the other is very thin and pointy. I haven't noticed any of my inverts or corals missing or taking damage, however I did lose a goby who was digging under the same rock this guy hides in. The goby was in rough shape when I bought him, may be coincidence. If I manage to get a picture ill post it. He doesn't like light and my camera won't focus on him very well.

[Madreefer]

Put a small chunk of prawn in a tall smooth drinking glass. Place it at an angle near where you suspect he is at night. You'll catch him eventually and can decide if he gets to live in your tank or your sump.