Can anyone ID this crab

dedvalson · 10/27/2011, 04:23 PM

I have about 10 in my FOWLR tank. Some have hairy legs, some don't.

Thanks

Zappo · 10/27/2011, 04:56 PM

Either a gorilla crab (mean little invert assassin) or an emerald crab (safe). Look closely at his claws. Emeralds have a flat spot at the end for pinching algae, while gorillas have pointy tips.

horwitzs · 10/27/2011, 05:06 PM

In my experience the gorilla crabs have black hair and black tips on their claws. And Zappo is right, they are a PITA and will decimate any other little critter populations.

Looks like some type of mithrax, but unless you are sure it's an emerald, I'd pull it or throw it in a fuge.
Check out the monster I had in my tank. He was a major predator --> http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ostid=12534148

dedvalson · 10/27/2011, 05:20 PM

Assuming they are bad guys, any pointers on how to catch them? I happened to get one, but there are a bunch more.

briankmarsh1980 · 10/27/2011, 06:01 PM

I would guess emerald but it is really hard to tell exactly with crabs but pointy claws mean meat eaters
emeralds will eventually get big and become unsafe.
gorrillas will grow very fast like doubling in size when they molt I would just keep an eye on it

Teddynola · 10/27/2011, 06:04 PM

1+ on mithrax. Red Mithrax?

briankmarsh1980 · 10/27/2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dedvalson

Assuming they are bad guys, any pointers on how to catch them? I happened to get one, but there are a bunch more.

They will be most active at night
after the lights are out for a while grab a flashlight and look at the tank you will usually find them running along the glass where they can be easily caught

SushiGirl · 10/27/2011, 06:08 PM

Mithrax ruber. In other words, it's a red "emerald" (mithrax) crab. Check the inside of the elbow joints bright red marks, which is an emerald crab "tell".

10/27/2011, 05:06 PM	#3
horwitzs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kitsap Penninsula Posts: 470	In my experience the gorilla crabs have black hair and black tips on their claws. And Zappo is right, they are a PITA and will decimate any other little critter populations. Looks like some type of mithrax, but unless you are sure it's an emerald, I'd pull it or throw it in a fuge. Check out the monster I had in my tank. He was a major predator --> http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ostid=12534148 __________________ -Seth Current Tank Info: 120g fresh, 150g salt.

10/27/2011, 06:01 PM	#5
briankmarsh1980 I'm a member of **!!!!!! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maricopa, Arizona Posts: 2,127	I would guess emerald but it is really hard to tell exactly with crabs but pointy claws mean meat eaters emeralds will eventually get big and become unsafe. gorrillas will grow very fast like doubling in size when they molt I would just keep an eye on it __________________ My skim don't stink _______________________________________________________________ 210 gallons with stuff!!!!!!!

10/27/2011, 06:04 PM	#6
Teddynola pod wrangler Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 301	1+ on mithrax. Red Mithrax? __________________ 75g Oceanic RR mixed reef in progress, 40b sump. Current Tank Info: Black occ pair, lawnmower blenny, scooter dragonette, yellow tang, male and female green mandarin, one spot foxface, flame hawkfish, fire shrimp, harlequin shrimp, skunk cleaner shrimp, harlequin starfish, with softies, sps, lps.

10/27/2011, 06:08 PM	#8
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Mithrax ruber. In other words, it's a red "emerald" (mithrax) crab. Check the inside of the elbow joints bright red marks, which is an emerald crab "tell". __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

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10/27/2011, 04:56 PM	#2
Zappo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnetonka, MN Posts: 582	Either a gorilla crab (mean little invert assassin) or an emerald crab (safe). Look closely at his claws. Emeralds have a flat spot at the end for pinching algae, while gorillas have pointy tips.

10/27/2011, 05:20 PM	#4
dedvalson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 80	Assuming they are bad guys, any pointers on how to catch them? I happened to get one, but there are a bunch more.