Is this gorilla crab?

Barro777 · 12/04/2012, 11:08 PM

horwitzs · 12/04/2012, 11:58 PM

Not used to seeing so much fuzzy stuff on the back, but the claws sure look like it. Either way I'd say that guy is bad news.

Barro777 · 12/05/2012, 12:42 AM

Just saw him on the middle rock in the moonlights and decided to go on a quest to catch him. Took a shot glass with bait (mysis shrimp). Put it at a 45 degree angle to his "patio". Seconds later he was checking it out. However, flow began to wash bait pieces out of the shot glass. Darn it. Turned off all pumps. Replaced the bait. Thought I'd scared him off, but no - he was right there checking it out and cautiously sitting at the edge of the glass.

By that time my 2 nassarius woke up and were like dashing towards the glass scaring the guy off. Really? Relocated the nassarius to the QT. Then was the turn of my only hermit to go to the sump, because he too was interfering.

Lastly, with all inverts that were too active trying to make their way into the glass removed elsewhere, I was all set. The crab was curious, but cautious. He felt the slippery slope and held on with at least one of his legs to the rock and kinda balanced on the edge.

Finally, the temptation of getting the bait prevailed and he fell into the shot glass. Was subjected to kitchen countertop photography and was then exiled to the sump, his new home to share with the chaeto and the heater. The whole process took me about 20 mins. Guess I got lucky.

Jpruitt546 · 12/05/2012, 04:29 AM

I would say its a gorilla or a teddy bear. Its hard to tell from the pics but either way i would not put one in a reef tank due to if the food is scarce they will begin to munch on LPS corals.

Guygettnby · 12/05/2012, 07:57 AM

you would need to get a better picture of the tips of the claws as well. usually if the claws are cupped and blunt they are algea eaters and if the tips are sharp/pointed they are bad crabs. not always true, but you should post your question in the invert section for more info. maybe somebody on there will direct you to some good info.

i would however not put it back into your tank until you find out about it.

12/04/2012, 11:58 PM	#2
horwitzs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kitsap Penninsula Posts: 470	Not used to seeing so much fuzzy stuff on the back, but the claws sure look like it. Either way I'd say that guy is bad news. __________________ -Seth Current Tank Info: 120g fresh, 150g salt.

12/05/2012, 04:29 AM	#4
Jpruitt546 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sherman TX Posts: 74	I would say its a gorilla or a teddy bear. Its hard to tell from the pics but either way i would not put one in a reef tank due to if the food is scarce they will begin to munch on LPS corals.

12/05/2012, 07:57 AM	#5
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	you would need to get a better picture of the tips of the claws as well. usually if the claws are cupped and blunt they are algea eaters and if the tips are sharp/pointed they are bad crabs. not always true, but you should post your question in the invert section for more info. maybe somebody on there will direct you to some good info. i would however not put it back into your tank until you find out about it.