Strange Looking Red & White Crab Found in my Tank!

[myrrhlin]

I have just discovered a rather large and strange looking crab in my saltwater aquarium! I have no idea where this thing came from or how long it has been living in my tank, but I am very concerned that it might be linked to the slow disappearance of all my button pollyps. Does anybody know what kind of crab this might be? It's about the size of a half dollar and is red and white with a very bumpy and hairy shell.

Could anyone help me figure out what this thing is and where is might have come from? I'm worried that it might be harmful in some way.

Thanks,
Greg


(I have photos too, how can I post them on here?)

 

[ade]

Hi, can't help with the id of your new found friend (foe?), but had the same experience myself. Watching my lot feed, all of a sudden a 1.5" greyish crab shot out from behind the LR - never even knew he(she) was in there! Scared the living daylights out of me! Never seen it again either though...was I imagining things?

 

[EddieW]

Greg - could be a Porcelain Anemone Crab but without photos it is difficult to say for sure. Another possibility is a Decorator Crab as these would show different colours depending on what it has stuck to itself.

To post a pic you need to use the Member's Aquarium and Fish Pictures section of the forum. There is a pinned message with all the How To information.

Ade - possibly a Sally Lightfoot Crab, I got one with some live rock and would only every see it if I was very still and patient. As soon as it saw any movement it would hide away. They can fit into extremely small gaps in the LR.

HTH, Eddie

 

[impur]

We definately need a pic to ID your crab. WAY to many possibilites.