Crab hitchiker
- Thread starter Kimelix
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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.
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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.
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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).
