Crab ID Should I remove or keep in the Display Tank

nicksy23 · Jun 10, 2014

Hoping someone may be able to give me some info on this guy?

I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of him/her out the corner of my eye whilst feeding and i grabbed the rock he was hiding in and moved it straight into the sump. When coming back to try and remove him from the rock he had already removed himself and sat in the corner waiting for me pick up with a net and pop straight into a bucket. Very lucky catch !!!!! As i have heard some people search for months to try and get crabs out.

I have a feeling he has been eating snails and messing with my fish and my clowns will not go anywhere this guys end of the tank.

Just hoping someone can let me know what to do with him. Id rather him not in the tank if he's eating snails and scaring fish.

Naiad · Jun 10, 2014

He Is wicked looking. Judging from his back legs he is what is known as a swimming crab. Very good predators. I would not keep him in a reef. See if someone wants him for a species only set up or a cool sump critter.

erk · Jun 10, 2014

Lol, it scares me just looking at it. Can't imagine being stuck in a tank with it. Why not keep it in the sump?

cmwalters · Jun 10, 2014

I also believe it is a swimming crab. They are actually really cool in my opinion. Like Naiad said, they are great predators and can be quite aggressive. I saw a documentary one time that they came across one of these guys and it attacked the camera. That being said, I wouldn't keep it in your display. Maybe your sump, but that's up to you.