Hitchhiker Crab

[1entra]

Hi There,

Can anybody help Id this hitchhiker crab that I netted from behind some of my new live rock. As the tank is going to be turned into a nano reef, can somebody tell me if it would be reef compatitable and how big I should expect it to grow etc.

Somebody has already suggested it is a common crab but I thought I would see if anbody else may know for defo.

The crab is just over 1" wide but under 1/2" tall. Its a murky brown/rusty sort of colour and it a VERY slow mover! I keep thinking its dead. The eyes seem to be a murky red/brown colour! I wouldn't say its hairy as such but all its legs seem to have bristles/hair on them. The main body looks quite leathery and is bumpy giving me the image of a brain! looking! The underneath of it is slightly lighter in colour with some white/cream patches. The most obvious thing however is the fact its pincers are white tipped!

I appologise for the pic quality but its the best I could do!

 

[hubbard_shark]

sounds like a stronhold crab, although ive always known them to be fast, not slow. thats my guess. if it is, he'll be fine small, but when he gets bigger, could become a problem with snails, smaller crabs/shrimps, and some fish possibly.

 

[SkiFletch]

Look at his claws. If they are very pointy and serrated looking, then it's likely an opportunistic predator. If it's claws have big round lumps on them, then its probably a harmless herbivore. MOST crabs on the reef are opportunistic though

 

[1entra]

From what I can remember its claws were pointy with white tips. As Ive added it to my refugium, its dug itself under the mud and I can occasionally see a pincer or antennae sticking out from beneath a piece of rock or mud!

 

[nanocubeking]

sounds like a gorilla crab to me.

 

[hubbard_shark]

not to take away ur topic 1entra, but since we're on the topic of crabs, can anyone ID this one for me? i thought it was a stronghold, but maybe someone can clarify it for me. plus hes not the only one ive seen, theres 2, maybe 3. all this size, bout the size of a quarter.

 

[1entra]

No worrys hubbard, you can post here as much as you want.

Quick update on my hitchiker crab:

The crab is vicious people. I got home from work the other night and noticed it scurrying around in the refugium, so I decided to tap on the acrylic wall to see what would happen... I expected it to make a run for it. Instead the little sh*t tried pounciing on/ambushing my finger. It ran at the acrylic and tried to claw at me! I kept moving my finger along the back of the refugium about an inch at a time and it continued chasing after it trying to attack me!

Assuming it was hungry (its been in the refugium over a week and I've not fed him! ) I went to the fridge and got half a prawn which I dropped near it in the refugium. The crab immediately pounced on it and carrying it in its claws scurried off to its little cave at the back somewhere!!!

But now I dont know what to do with it? Should I leave it in the refugium? Hope it doesnt't damage/kill off any of my chaeto macroalgae when I get it in there. Also do you wreckon it will atack/eat the microfauna ie. any copepods, amphipods, small starfish or even bristleowrms etc?

 

[hubbard_shark]

being in your refugium is better than in the tank. he wont bother copepods, but he may get the bristleworms, as well as, attack your sea star. theres always a possibility. and remember if he was hungry and acting like that, all it takes is one bite of sumthin he likes, and then he will appease his hunger

 

[1entra]

Very true hubbard, I might ask my LFS if they will have it off me next time I am there, will save me a lot of bother I think!