Emerald Crab?

[sandfire]

My emerald crab is sticking little bits of sponge and debris to the hairs on its legs.

Is this normal?

 

[Lynden]

Not for an emerald as far as I'm aware. Cool anyways.

 

[Donya]

Are you sure it's actually an emerald crab (Mithrax sculptus)?

 

[sandfire]

Are you sure it's actually an emerald crab (Mithrax sculptus)?

Its got mint green legs and a greenish brown slighly textured carapace, the cheliped are also pale mint green with very slightly rounded claws with white tips, the legs are also very slightly hairy, like velcro which he sticks stuff too.

He don't move off one rock and does not eat algae, just seems to pick at bits of rock.

 

[steelhealr]

Look up pompom crab. SH

 

[sandfire]

Look up pompom crab. SH

Googled Pompom…Beautiful crab, but unfortunately nothing like him. This guy looks just like an Emerald, but he fancies himself as a bit of a designer and had adorned himself with sponges. Daft little fella, perhaps I should give him a little mirror? lol
He has little white and clear sponges all over him, looks like some sort of funky commando camouflage!
Gotta love these little guys, wish he came out in the daytime more so I could get a good photo.
.

 

[1entra]

Sounds to me like you've got a decorator crab rather than an emerald crab! I have 1 the same in my tank, it came to me as a colony of polyps which suddenly moved as I went to put them into my tank. It is really fun to watch but I find it a right pain at times as it always pics at my juvenile colonys of polyps which stops them spreading like I want them to!

Definately a cool addition to the tank though!

 

[sandfire]

Sounds to me like you've got a decorator crab rather than an emerald crab! I have 1 the same in my tank, it came to me as a colony of polyps which suddenly moved as I went to put them into my tank. It is really fun to watch but I find it a right pain at times as it always pics at my juvenile colonys of polyps which stops them spreading like I want them to!

Definately a cool addition to the tank though!

I bought him from my LFS as a emerald but I agree is a very cool even if he is not a emerald, a nice supprise really as he seems reef safe.