Acro Crab ID

[BTimms]

Hello all!

I found this little crab on a frag.

Any thoughts on what it is, good or bad? Reef safe?

I’d hate to toss it if it is beneficial.

Thanks!

 

[blaxsun]

Cute little guy. Looks like it could be a acro crab.

 

[Lapras]

This looks like a gorilla crab or some sort? Not coral safe. Beneficial acro crabs are generally very smooth. Any more pics? Is it hairy? Maybe keep in sump until someone can positively id it.

An introduction to coral crabs, good and bad | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

There is surprisingly little information specifically about coral crabs in aquaria. Every now and then some hitchhikers arrive on our aquacultured and wild corals and we are able to gain a bit more…

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[BTimms]

This looks like a gorilla crab or some sort? Not coral safe. Beneficial acro crabs are generally very smooth. Any more pics? Is it hairy? Maybe keep in sump until someone can positively id it.

An introduction to coral crabs, good and bad | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

There is surprisingly little information specifically about coral crabs in aquaria. Every now and then some hitchhikers arrive on our aquacultured and wild corals and we are able to gain a bit more…

reefbuilders.com

It is tough to get a good shot. But here are a couple more pics.
It’s hard to tell if it is Harry or smooth.

 

[BTimms]

@vetteguy53081 do You think this is a small xanthid?

 

[Cthulukelele]

The fuzzy body and dark needley pincers makes me think gorilla crab.

 

[vetteguy53081]

@vetteguy53081 do You think this is a small xanthid?

Absolutely yes and a no-no
Here is a special tank for it

 

[damsels are not mean]

That doesn't look like a gorilla. It looks a lot like the unidentified beneficial one they have listedin the RB article. If it were me I'd keep it and see what happens. They don't kill corals instantly after all. But I am not one to spend $5000 on a named frag so I tend not to see losing a coral for science to be so bad.

 

[BTimms]

Absolutely yes and a ni-no

@vetteguy53081 your advice and knowledge is why I come to reef2reef.
I sincerely appreciate you.

 

[vetteguy53081]

@vetteguy53081 your advice and knowledge is why I come to reef2reef.
I sincerely appreciate you.

My pleasure

 

[BTimms]

That doesn't look like a gorilla. It looks a lot like the unidentified beneficial one they have listedin the RB article. If it were me I'd keep it and see what happens. They don't kill corals instantly after all. But I am not one to spend $5000 on a named frag so I tend not to see losing a coral for science to be so bad.

I was thinking this as well. Do you know of any further information on benificial crabs?

 

[damsels are not mean]

I was thinking this as well. Do you know of any further information on benificial crabs?

The only beneficial crabs I know of are in either the tetralia or trapezia genus. And afaik, that crab you have is neither. There are probably a lot of crabs that live in a commensal relationship and do no harm to the coral but also don't help it in any way. I would tend to listen to what the coral says in this sort of situation. If the crab bothers it it won't look happy. And you will know that pretty fast.

 

[BTimms]

The only beneficial crabs I know of are in either the tetralia or trapezia genus. And afaik, that crab you have is neither. There are probably a lot of crabs that live in a commensal relationship and do no harm to the coral but also don't help it in any way. I would tend to listen to what the coral says in this sort of situation. If the crab bothers it it won't look happy. And you will know that pretty fast.

My only concern is not being able to catch it out of the tank once in.
it came in on an acro from an lfs. So I have no way to know what it was feeding on.

 

[damsels are not mean]

My only concern is not being able to catch it out of the tank once in.
it came in on an acro from an lfs. So I have no way to know what it was feeding on.

Oh I see what you mean. It might be some other kind of crab unrelated to the coral and then once in the tank hard to remove. Can probably trap it with a bottle at night though honestly. If it is an acro crab then it'll sit on the acro and then you can just take the coral out and it's easy.

 

[Lavey29]

My only concern is not being able to catch it out of the tank once in.
it came in on an acro from an lfs. So I have no way to know what it was feeding on.

So if it was in the coral vendors frag tank wouldn't he know if his frags were getting damaged by a crab? If no damage perhaps he's one of the good guys after all as he sits on the toilet death row.

 

[BTimms]

So if it was in the coral vendors frag tank wouldn't he know if his frags were getting damaged by a crab? If no damage perhaps he's one of the good guys after all as he sits on the toilet death row.

Haha he is definitely on death row…..what should I do?

 

[BTimms]

Oh I see what you mean. It might be some other kind of crab unrelated to the coral and then once in the tank hard to remove. Can probably trap it with a bottle at night though honestly. If it is an acro crab then it'll sit on the acro and then you can just take the coral out and it's easy.

You vote to keep it?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I was thinking this as well. Do you know of any further information on benificial crabs?

Carribean blue be leg hermits- stay tiny and great on algae and uneaten food
Caribbean red leg great scavenger
Porcelain crab also good

 

[Lavey29]

Haha he is definitely on death row…..what should I do?

I got one in my tank. He ain't bothering anything.

 

[BTimms]

Carribean blue be leg hermits- stay tiny and great on algae and uneaten food
Caribbean red leg great scavenger
Porcelain crab also good

You would absolutely throw this crab out vette?