crab id - photo

MrsHaggis · 03/04/2010, 08:42 AM

About 2 months ago I found what I thought was a dead crab.

Today I found another dead crab of the same sort but a bit bigger. After putting the thinking cap on I have realised that I have been finding molts from a particular kind of crab that has hitched it's way in.

So what kind of crab is this??
Is it reef safe??

Thanks
Fiona

goldenseal · 03/04/2010, 08:55 AM

... just a guess...gorilla? and not reef safe.

Fizz71 · 03/04/2010, 09:08 AM

Looks like that Xanthidae family to me...bad news. Lophozozymus bertonciniae maybe? There are so many species out there it's tough to know. I go by the rule..if it's hairy and has a pincher, get it out!

Sugar Magnolia · 03/04/2010, 09:18 AM

The majority of hitch hiker crabs are not reef safe. I agree with the xanthid ID. What Fizz gave you looks like a match.

MrsHaggis · 03/04/2010, 09:37 AM

yep, just looked on Google and Fizz you are right.......now to catch the little bugger!!! I haven't actually seen him arrive and walking around - just these - what I am assuming - are molts!

I'll try the plastic bottle trick. Although I'm a bit scared that I'll catch my other crabs instead.........

Thanks for the quick replies.

Chiefsurfer · 03/04/2010, 10:01 AM

That sure looks like a gorilla crab. I agree if it's fuzzy, it's bad. I doubt they are molts, I have had over 40 gorillas pulled out of my tank, and not once did I see a molt in 3 months. I have seen molts of my peppermint shrimp tho. An easy way to tell is split the carapace. If there is meat, it's no molt. Usually when you have one, you have multiple. I just caught 2 about 3 days apart, both with carapaces about the size of a quarter, and with legs and claws about the size of a golfball. Up until I caught both alive, I only ever saw one.

MrsHaggis · 03/04/2010, 01:26 PM

ok, time to cut the little bugger open and see if it is crab or molt.......i'll keep you all posted!

Kates · 03/04/2010, 01:38 PM

ummmm...maybe I'm silly but it seems a little extreme to actually cut it open, considering it could well be a living animal. Maybe its considered a pest but I'm pretty sure even pests have nerve endings and sensory organs.

DirtyDeeds · 03/04/2010, 01:57 PM

i saw the same crab in my tank about a week ago but mine white and hairy. gotta try to find it agian and get it out

Chiefsurfer · 03/04/2010, 03:39 PM

kates, it is either dead, or a molt, so therefore no harm no foul

savageAJC · 03/04/2010, 11:36 PM

ahh i have one of these in my tank, has been in there the past few years now, its always stayed near the same rock, its incredibly ugly with scary red eyes. hasnt harmed any tank mates or coral although i can NEVER put any reef plugs or corals on his rock as he will push them off a few minutes later. After many molts he stays in a network of holes in his rock now all i see are his huge pincers reaching out for food during feeding time. i really think he has grown too big and cant fit through the holes, made his own jail cell =)
its actually quite funny. that evil looking thing.

reef_lover24881 · 03/05/2010, 01:09 AM

I also have one in my tank. I cant ever seem to catch him he is tricky lil guy, but one day im going to get him. Any tricks on capturing these guys??

reef_lover24881 · 03/05/2010, 01:12 AM

savageajc your post cracked me up.

Chiefsurfer · 03/05/2010, 05:27 AM

i tried the botle traps, usualy didn't work, especially on the big ones.

The best way I found is try and get them far enough away from "their rock" that you can get them. IF they are not near their own hole, they will move very slow and stupid.

bertoni · 03/05/2010, 02:53 PM

From the body shape, which I can't see well, I'd guess majid, since it seems rather angular. A xanthid would have an oval body shape. I agree that it's not reef-safe.

LeslieH · 03/12/2010, 04:47 PM

The legs are held together so the body looks angular but it's really oval. It's a xanthid.

MrsHaggis · 03/12/2010, 05:29 PM

Well, I haven't seen another one yet.
No muniching on my corals so far.
Forgot to cut the little bugger open before I threw him out (dead or molt - not alive; promise Kates).
I'll keep an eye out for him/them........

03/04/2010, 08:42 AM	#1
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	crab id - photo About 2 months ago I found what I thought was a dead crab. Today I found another dead crab of the same sort but a bit bigger. After putting the thinking cap on I have realised that I have been finding molts from a particular kind of crab that has hitched it's way in. So what kind of crab is this?? Is it reef safe?? Thanks Fiona __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

03/04/2010, 08:55 AM	#2
goldenseal Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 150	... just a guess...gorilla? and not reef safe. __________________ 27 ...... the number of times MR. T has pitied you.

03/04/2010, 09:18 AM	#4
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	The majority of hitch hiker crabs are not reef safe. I agree with the xanthid ID. What Fizz gave you looks like a match. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

03/04/2010, 09:37 AM	#5
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	yep, just looked on Google and Fizz you are right.......now to catch the little bugger!!! I haven't actually seen him arrive and walking around - just these - what I am assuming - are molts! I'll try the plastic bottle trick. Although I'm a bit scared that I'll catch my other crabs instead......... Thanks for the quick replies. __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

03/04/2010, 10:01 AM	#6
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	That sure looks like a gorilla crab. I agree if it's fuzzy, it's bad. I doubt they are molts, I have had over 40 gorillas pulled out of my tank, and not once did I see a molt in 3 months. I have seen molts of my peppermint shrimp tho. An easy way to tell is split the carapace. If there is meat, it's no molt. Usually when you have one, you have multiple. I just caught 2 about 3 days apart, both with carapaces about the size of a quarter, and with legs and claws about the size of a golfball. Up until I caught both alive, I only ever saw one. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

03/04/2010, 09:08 AM	#3
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	Looks like that Xanthidae family to me...bad news. Lophozozymus bertonciniae maybe? There are so many species out there it's tough to know. I go by the rule..if it's hairy and has a pincher, get it out!

03/04/2010, 01:26 PM	#7
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	ok, time to cut the little bugger open and see if it is crab or molt.......i'll keep you all posted! __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

03/04/2010, 01:38 PM	#8
Kates Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 57	ummmm...maybe I'm silly but it seems a little extreme to actually cut it open, considering it could well be a living animal. Maybe its considered a pest but I'm pretty sure even pests have nerve endings and sensory organs.

03/04/2010, 01:57 PM	#9
DirtyDeeds Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canada,Ontario,Hamilton Posts: 94	i saw the same crab in my tank about a week ago but mine white and hairy. gotta try to find it agian and get it out

03/04/2010, 03:39 PM	#10
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	kates, it is either dead, or a molt, so therefore no harm no foul __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

03/04/2010, 11:36 PM	#11
savageAJC Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: T Posts: 1,379	ahh i have one of these in my tank, has been in there the past few years now, its always stayed near the same rock, its incredibly ugly with scary red eyes. hasnt harmed any tank mates or coral although i can NEVER put any reef plugs or corals on his rock as he will push them off a few minutes later. After many molts he stays in a network of holes in his rock now all i see are his huge pincers reaching out for food during feeding time. i really think he has grown too big and cant fit through the holes, made his own jail cell =) its actually quite funny. that evil looking thing.

03/05/2010, 01:09 AM	#12
reef_lover24881 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 162	I also have one in my tank. I cant ever seem to catch him he is tricky lil guy, but one day im going to get him. Any tricks on capturing these guys?? __________________ reef_lover Current Tank Info: Current USA Solana, 1/10 HP jbj Arctica Chiller, Current UV Sterilizer (15 watt), Current USA SunPod PowerPaq HQI Lamp & Lunar Lights (24" Kit 250 watts), and the Sapphire Solana/Cardiff Nanoskimmer.

03/05/2010, 01:12 AM	#13
reef_lover24881 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 162	savageajc your post cracked me up. __________________ reef_lover Current Tank Info: Current USA Solana, 1/10 HP jbj Arctica Chiller, Current UV Sterilizer (15 watt), Current USA SunPod PowerPaq HQI Lamp & Lunar Lights (24" Kit 250 watts), and the Sapphire Solana/Cardiff Nanoskimmer.

03/05/2010, 05:27 AM	#14
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	i tried the botle traps, usualy didn't work, especially on the big ones. The best way I found is try and get them far enough away from "their rock" that you can get them. IF they are not near their own hole, they will move very slow and stupid. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

03/05/2010, 02:53 PM	#15
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	From the body shape, which I can't see well, I'd guess majid, since it seems rather angular. A xanthid would have an oval body shape. I agree that it's not reef-safe. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/12/2010, 04:47 PM	#16
LeslieH Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,178	The legs are held together so the body looks angular but it's really oval. It's a xanthid. __________________ Cheers, Leslie So many worms, so little time... Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

03/12/2010, 05:29 PM	#17
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	Well, I haven't seen another one yet. No muniching on my corals so far. Forgot to cut the little bugger open before I threw him out (dead or molt - not alive; promise Kates). I'll keep an eye out for him/them........ __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095