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What Kind Of Crab Is This?

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VictorMeldrew

VictorMeldrew

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I have just found this little chap, is it good or bad or more to the point what is it?

Its very small about 5mm accross, hence the poor photo, i really need to get a better camara for this.

crab.JPG

Thanks

VictorMeldrew
 
One thing I found out is that unless it is a common one getting ID's on small crabs is difficult at best. I would tend to say leave him be. I have a lot of little crabs in my tank (at least 6 that I know of but there are probably lots more) and I have only had one that got big enough to be a problem (he ate one of my clown fish). While they are small you are probably fairly safe, just keep a watch on any big ones that turn up.
 
I don't tolerate crabs in my system... Too much of a risk longerm if you ask me
 
SkiFletch said:
I don't tolerate crabs in my system... Too much of a risk longerm if you ask me
Click to expand...


How do these random crabs appear in your tank? From the live rock?

How are crabs a risk...most people have them in their tank to help clean up right?
 
most of the crabs are hitchhikers yes.

some crabs grow big enough to eat fish, shrimps, corals ect.

people have HERMIT crabs in there tank to clean up mostly, but there are a few exceptions for other crabs
 
Yeah crabs can be a problem as they tend to eat anything that comes to hand. So far all of the ones in my tank have been ok (with the one exception) and im too lazy to try and get them out.
 
xxBarneyxx said:
Yeah crabs can be a problem as they tend to eat anything that comes to hand. So far all of the ones in my tank have been ok (with the one exception) and im too lazy to try and get them out.
Click to expand...
aye i had a nasty one that got id as a 'red eye' crab :devil: he was about the size of a 50p coin, i put down the loss of 3 fish to him.
 
rednwhite barmy said:
aye i had a nasty one that got id as a 'red eye' crab :devil: he was about the size of a 50p coin, i put down the loss of 3 fish to him.
Click to expand...


Now that I can believe...I once had a fresh water tank when I was a kid...

I had a Hermit Crab that took out half my fish tank (roughly 3-4 fish)


also...if their hitchhikers...wouldn't you see them in the rock? I'm just not following how they "grow" out of live rock.
 
They will often hide deep inside the rock so you never see them (until they venture out or get big). I have a filter feeding crab of some sort that must have been in my nano for months without me ever seeing it. Only saw it when I moved everything to a new tank.
 
The other possibility is that it might be a crab molt. They normally disintegrate fairly quickly though.
 
CageUK said:
The other possibility is that it might be a crab molt. They normally disintegrate fairly quickly though.
Click to expand...

Yeah right, i did not think about that, shall i give it a little prod or something to check? i was just going to leave it and see what it does,but then again it has been three days since i seen it move.

Thanks
 
It wouldn't do any harm. It would reassure you as to wether the little guy was dead or not!
 
Hi all

:lol: i forgot about this thread, here the update, i gave the crab a very gentle prod and i was surprised at what happened. It fell to bits, the legs, claws, everything, it really was a gentle prod aswell and the thing ended up in about ten bits, it must have been a molt, great shout cageuk :good:

Thanks
VM
 
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