Crab id please

[Pipefishlady]

This was sent instead of the porcelain I ordered....anyone know what it is

 

[JoJosReef]

Looks like a trapezia crab to me, aka acro crab. I understand that they are reed safe and colonize SPS like acros, stylos, poccis and birdsnests.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Yeah, this is Trapezia guttata - it lives in Seriatopora and Stylophora corals specifically; should be harmless/beneficial.

 

[JoJosReef]

Yeah, this is Trapezia guttata - it lives in Seriatopora and Stylophora corals specifically; should be harmless/beneficial.

Do you know if these manage to stave off coral-eating angelfish and others?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Do you know if these manage to stave off coral-eating angelfish and others?

I can't find any info on if they prevent predation by fish, but I know they prevent predation by corallivorous snails and starfish.

That said, I'd imagine that, if the crab is big enough or the fish small enough that the fish feels moderately threatened by the crab, then it would deter predation, but I don't know for sure. If the crab is too small or the fish too big, then I imagine the crab would be ignored, and the coral eaten.

 

[JoJosReef]

I can't find any info on if they prevent predation by fish, but I know they prevent predation by corallivorous snails and starfish.

That said, I'd imagine that, if the crab is big enough or the fish small enough that the fish feels moderately threatened by the crab, then it would deter predation, but I don't know for sure. If the crab is too small or the fish too big, then I imagine the crab would be ignored, and the coral eaten.

These guys seem pretty fierce!