Crab hitchiker
- Thread starter Kimelix
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Cute! Looks like a red mithrax crab to me ("red" emerald), but hard to exactly tell with the claws in the picture. Are they blunt-ended or sharp and pointy? If a mithrax, definitely an interesting keeper.
They do look a bit more pointy. Red mithrax crabs can have whiter tips, too:
but the carapace on yours looks less knobby and the arms/claws a bit bulkier, which might mean this guy isn't into salads. @ISpeakForTheSeas Do you recognize OP's crab?
Unfortunately no - but I struggle with ID'ing red and brown crabs. I will say, though, the body shape looks slightly off for a Mithraculus sp., and I don't see the extra arm joint on OP's crab like you can see on those Red Mithrax crabs.
Personally, based on the body shape and arms, I'd guess it's not reef-safe. My best guess at a species (which is likely wrong) is Lydia annulipe.
Depending on the species, it could, yes.
As mentioned, if you have a sump, then you can put it in there; otherwise, you can start a small tank for it or see if you can give it away.
I've had great luck giving away hitchhiker crabs to locals after posting them with pics. One person drove to my office to pick up a gorilla crab because their daughter thought it was cute (I confirmed they knew to put it in their sump, not in their display).
