Crab ID

[JosephM]

Found this tiny bugger in my filter sock. Been sitting out for water for a few days but he’s still moving anyone know what it is?

 

[F i s h y]

Kind of looks like an acro crab

 

[JosephM]

Kind of looks like an acro crab

Are those good guys?

 

[F i s h y]

Do you have acros? My understanding is that they live amongst the branches of the coral but generally do not cause damage. Problem is there are so many species of crabs its hard to tell. Until you can get a consensus on ID I'd keep it in your sump. Also put it in a small clear glass with water to get a better pic, maybe from top bottom and side. If you can get the claws in the pic that can really help with an ID.

 

[mrrealmadrid]

I wouldn't risk it. All crabs I see that I didnt put in the DT go in sump

 

[JosephM]

Do you have acros? My understanding is that they live amongst the branches of the coral but generally do not cause damage. Problem is there are so many species of crabs its hard to tell. Until you can get a consensus on ID I'd keep it in your sump. Also put it in a small clear glass with water to get a better pic, maybe from top bottom and side. If you can get the claws in the pic that can really help with an ID.

I don’t have any acros, just some softies and one lps. I can’t get any better pictures now as I threw him in the sump. I don’t know if he’ll even live given there was next to no water in the sock for 3 days but he was slightly moving.

 

[F i s h y]

What other potential sources for entry? Rock? Recently added coral?

 

[JosephM]

What other potential sources for entry? Rock? Recently added coral?

Recently added coral and KP uncured live rock, and chaeto. Doubt from the coral as I inspected and dipped all of them but I’m sure it’s from rock, possible chaeto but inspected that too.

 

[F i s h y]

Most likely from the rock and def rules out acro crab

 

[Alexopora]

Found this tiny bugger in my filter sock. Been sitting out for water for a few days but he’s still moving anyone know what it is?

It’s probably not but it does have the colouration of a pea crab. Those parasites or commensal crabs that live inside bivalves (clams).

 

[JosephM]

It’s probably not but it does have the colouration of a pea crab. Those parasites or commensal crabs that live inside bivalves (clams).

I just looked them up and I don’t think so. This one is more uniformly bright if that makes sense. I do have some bivalves though that came on my rock so always a possibility.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m thinking more of : xanthid crab

 

[Alexopora]

I just looked them up and I don’t think so. This one is more uniformly bright if that makes sense. I do have some bivalves though that came on my rock so always a possibility.

You are right, its not a commensal pea crab. Yours has sturdy legs and has a much flatter carapace. Commensal pea crabs then to be rounder and have very weak looking legs.

 

[Augus7us]

If I had a tank set up I would buy that guy off of you. I really need to get something going lol.