Crab ID

[Reefing_addiction]

For a friend. Came in on a Cynarina lacrymalis coral.

 

[Saltyreef]

Looks like a non reef safe spider/decorator crab.

 

[Maritimer]

Take a look at gall crabs - kinda has that look to me.

IIRC, they're not particularly welcome guests.

~B.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Thank Y’all!

 

[Saltyreef]

Take a look at gall crabs - kinda has that look to me.

IIRC, they're not particularly welcome guests.

~B.

Thats it forsure

 

[king aiptasia]

gall crabs can cause the corals to grow unusual gall structures for them to live in, many species consume the mucous and feces of the coral along with filter feeding, they do cause the gall formation which does stunt the host coral in that particular spot once the gall structure is established, while the crab inhabits it.

I wouldn't necessarily say bad or good, its a curiosity to say the least