Crab ID?

Riptide10 · 04/15/2006, 09:34 PM

OK I don't know what this thing is. I suspect it might be a mithrax but it's the wrong color. Kind of a pink color and the pincers are black tipped. This crab is fairly large, about the size of a full grown mithrax.

Could it be a mithrax that has somehow changed color?

How long is this thing likely to live? I am a bit worried he is going to start going after my polyps and other animals in my small (50G) reef. I had a chance to remove him today but decided to keep him. I hope it wasn't a huge mistake.

LeslieH · 04/16/2006, 01:46 PM

Since there's several thousand crab species it's a little hard to id something based on it's being sort of pink with black tipped pincers. Can you post a picture?

Riptide10 · 04/16/2006, 04:35 PM

I think I've identified it. Cancer antennarius. A red rock crab.

Here's a picture:
http://www.calacademy.org/RESEARCH/i...ntennarius.htm

More Info:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.ed...tennarius.html

I should've removed it when I had the chance. Now I either wait and see what happens or actively try and remove it via trap or rip the tank apart. I'm kicking myself for not getting him out when I had the chance.

I will watch the tank for a while and see if I can locate his burrow/lair. If I can find him I'll catch him by hand and remove him. If he starts causing problems right away then I'll rip the tank down or use a trap.

04/15/2006, 09:34 PM	#1
Riptide10 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Billings, MT. Posts: 500	Crab ID? OK I don't know what this thing is. I suspect it might be a mithrax but it's the wrong color. Kind of a pink color and the pincers are black tipped. This crab is fairly large, about the size of a full grown mithrax. Could it be a mithrax that has somehow changed color? How long is this thing likely to live? I am a bit worried he is going to start going after my polyps and other animals in my small (50G) reef. I had a chance to remove him today but decided to keep him. I hope it wasn't a huge mistake.

04/16/2006, 01:46 PM	#2
LeslieH Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,178	Since there's several thousand crab species it's a little hard to id something based on it's being sort of pink with black tipped pincers. Can you post a picture? __________________ Cheers, Leslie So many worms, so little time... Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

04/16/2006, 04:35 PM	#3
Riptide10 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Billings, MT. Posts: 500	I think I've identified it. Cancer antennarius. A red rock crab. Here's a picture: http://www.calacademy.org/RESEARCH/i...ntennarius.htm More Info: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.ed...tennarius.html I should've removed it when I had the chance. Now I either wait and see what happens or actively try and remove it via trap or rip the tank apart. I'm kicking myself for not getting him out when I had the chance. I will watch the tank for a while and see if I can locate his burrow/lair. If I can find him I'll catch him by hand and remove him. If he starts causing problems right away then I'll rip the tank down or use a trap.