Pix & ID: Critters that come in your rocks: the good and the bad.

[SushiGirl]

Nudis & odd snails are hard because there's so much info it takes forever to find them & ID them properly. I'm good at the easy stuff & sometimes I get lucky if I use good search terms LOL.

Dustin, that is awesome. Did that come hidden in your rock? I wonder if it's a clam or like you think? Either way, very cool find!

[roughcountryfj]

I have come across that nudibranch on several occasions on the inner Beqa Island reef here in Fiji.

[dsdaley77]

Do you know what they eat, curious of thier characteristics as website was limited

[roughcountryfj]

When I have seen them they are mainly around bubble coral, that maybe a coincidence or their preferred food source.
next time I see them I will take more time to observe.

[SushiGirl]

They're usually very specific eaters, which is why it's so hard to keep them. Some eat sponge, one type eats small flatworms, one type eats hydroids, etc.

[Moody636]

I have been killing some aiptasia as they show up with aiptasia x, but this thing literally appeared over night. Is it another bad nem?

[Moody636]

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

[SushiGirl]

That's weird looking. Looks more like a coral than a nem, but I have no idea what it is.

[dsdaley77]

Almost looks like a clove

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by SushiGirl

Dustin, that is awesome. Did that come hidden in your rock? I wonder if it's a clam or like you think? Either way, very cool find!

I'm no nem expert but the one I referenced was not right....Instead it looks like a Majano nem. It has the same coloration and must have came in on a rock. I probably need to throw it out or give it away to someone that wants it. I don't want Majano nems in my 600 gallon DT as from what I've read they can rapidly disperse much like aiptasia!

[oshwi]

hi, im new here. just want to ask if this hitch hiker is reef safe or not.. any help would be appreciated. thanks!

[dsdaley77]

Sure is cool looking, if NOT reef safe maybe sump it

[dsdaley77]

What kind of sand is that, I like it a lot!

[oshwi]

yea, i was excited when i saw it. just not sure if its reef safe or not.. its from a LFS, they just call it marine sand?

[dsdaley77]

I'm sure the ladies will arrive shotrtly to I'd that guy but I am pretty sure someone previously stated that only micro hermits were "truly reef safe". Could be wrong though

[oshwi]

oh really? dang, i really liked it already. haha.

[dsdaley77]

You should just send him my way, I'll give em back if reef safe lol

[oshwi]

lol dsdaley. that would be a trip. hopefully someone out there can id it.

[SushiGirl]

Well, I wrote a big long response, and for the 3rd time today hit post, got an error, hit back, and lost it all. Short version:

There's been a thread on these on this site before but I don't think it was properly ID'd. They seem to be commonly for sale not in America or the UK LOL. Try the search function for "red fiddler crab ID" to see if you can find the thread. It got a little heated LOL.

For what it's worth, I've never had any type of hermit or emerald crab hurt/kill anything in 6 years/6 tanks, but I make sure they have plenty to eat. Mine don't even steal from corals. I've had several "reef safe" shrimp kill snails & steal from corals & they're well-fed too.

[ReeferKimberly]

OMG that crab it cuuuutee!

Crabs are my favorite reef animals. I want him! Reef safe or not, keep him for sure (sump if must), good lookin crab

[SushiGirl]

It is absolutely adorable!

[dsdaley77]

I had an emerald crab the was hiding in some rocks that I thought had died long ago but nope, in 5 days he ate 4 brand new reef chromis he is now my little sump punk

[ReeferKimberly]

Originally Posted by oshwi

IDed him for ya

[SushiGirl]

Originally Posted by dsdaley77

I had an emerald crab the was hiding in some rocks that I thought had died long ago but nope, in 5 days he ate 4 brand new reef chromis he is now my little sump punk

Did you see it catch the fish?

Originally Posted by ReeferKimberly

IDed him for ya

[ReeferKimberly]

ditto to sushi's question....I have 3 (2 greens, 1 ruby) in my 10 gallon, they have never even seemed to 'notice' there was a fish in there. My coral banded shrimp though, I caught him in the act of catching my damsel yesterday...the damsel got away but right in front of me, the shrimp grabbed him! Little punk. He is trying to expand, he has already killed 5 peppermints