What Kind Of Crab Is This?

[VictorMeldrew]

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.



Thanks

VictorMeldrew

 

[xxBarneyxx]

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.

 

[SkiFletch]

I don't tolerate crabs in my system... Too much of a risk longerm if you ask me

 

[pimp4cheddar]

I don't tolerate crabs in my system... Too much of a risk longerm if you ask me

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?

 

[orange shark]

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

 

[xxBarneyxx]

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.

 

[rednwhite barmy]

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.

aye i had a nasty one that got id as a 'red eye' crab he was about the size of a 50p coin, i put down the loss of 3 fish to him.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

aye i had a nasty one that got id as a 'red eye' crab he was about the size of a 50p coin, i put down the loss of 3 fish to him.

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.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

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.

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Don't think i have to worry much about the crab, it has'nt moved since i first seen it, i think it might be brown bread.

 

[CageUK]

The other possibility is that it might be a crab molt. They normally disintegrate fairly quickly though.

 

[VictorMeldrew]

The other possibility is that it might be a crab molt. They normally disintegrate fairly quickly though.

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

 

[CageUK]

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

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Hi all

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

Thanks
VM

 

[kj23502]

Wow, would probably scare me to pieces of that happened to me




Kj