Crab identity , emerald strawberry or other?

HildebrandRarity · Apr 22, 2020

Good afternoon everyone, wanted some help to identify this crab. Was sold to me as an emerald crab but he is not green socthinking it could be something else, he blends in really well with the live rock but I circled him in the picture so ou could see him. Any ideas what type of crab he may be?

Fishy212 · Apr 22, 2020

Hey man, I have 2 emerald crabs one is red and one is the traditional green. My emerald crabs have hair and algae growing on their legs, yours does not. Please take a good look at the tips of the claws. The emerald crab has rounded tips to help it pick algae off the rocks. If the tips of the claws are pointed it maybe another kind of aggressive fish / invent eating crab.

lpsouth1978 · Apr 22, 2020

That is definitely NOT an Emerald crab. I'm not sure what type it is from that pic, but I would try to remove it and get a better look. Worst case, you condemn him to the sump.

HildebrandRarity · Apr 22, 2020

Fishy212 said:
Hey man, I have 2 emerald crabs one is red and one is the traditional green. My emerald crabs have hair and algae growing on their legs, yours does not. Please take a good look at the tips of the claws. The emerald crab has rounded tips to help it pick algae off the rocks. If the tips of the claws are pointed it maybe another kind of aggressive fish / invent eating crab.

Thanks I thought all emerald crabs were green, he seems pretty chill but will monitor him in the next couple days, got him with a cleaner pack with a few snails and hermit crabs

HildebrandRarity · Apr 22, 2020

lpsouth1978 said:
That is definitely NOT an Emerald crab. I'm not sure what type it is from that pic, but I would try to remove it and get a better look. Worst case, you condemn him to the sump.

Thanks for your response I will try to get a better photo in the next couple days, purchased him a part of a cleaner pack

zoomonster · Apr 22, 2020

Looks like a sally lightfoot crab which is a cleaner and harmless. Makes sense it would be in a cleaner pack.

Mikedawg · Apr 22, 2020

Looks like a strawberry to me after comparing it to mine. Don't think it is a Sally Lightfoot - ones I have are more compressed and have more brown colors with contrasting yellow bands. If a strawberry, they are relatively harmless.

HildebrandRarity · Apr 22, 2020

Mikedawg said:
Looks like a strawberry to me after comparing it to mine. Don't think it is a Sally Lightfoot - ones I have are more compressed and have more brown colors with contrasting yellow bands. If a strawberry, they are relatively harmless.

Thanks for your reply

Spieg · Apr 22, 2020

Agree that is a Sally Lightfoot crab. They're fun to watch chase down food (move ninja fast!).

Mikedawg · Apr 22, 2020

Spieg said:
Agree that is a Sally Lightfoot crab. They're fun to watch chase down food (move ninja fast!).

Yeah, not much color in tank pic so I didn't think it was a Sally, but think you're right when I look at pattern. Good scavengers and I've never had any concerns about them bothering fish.

vetteguy53081 · Apr 22, 2020

Good call on sally ! It should be provided caves and rock work where it can hide and scavenge for detritus. It will also eat algae. When larger, it can become aggressive and catch and eat small invertebrates and fish. if insufficient algae is available, you can give it dried seaweed.

HildebrandRarity · Apr 25, 2020

lpsouth1978 said:
That is definitely NOT an Emerald crab. I'm not sure what type it is from that pic, but I would try to remove it and get a better look. Worst case, you condemn him to the sump.

Got a few better photos take a look

HildebrandRarity · Apr 25, 2020

Mikedawg said:
Yeah, not much color in tank pic so I didn't think it was a Sally, but think you're right when I look at pattern. Good scavengers and I've never had any concerns about them bothering fish.

Got a few better photos

Mikedawg · Apr 25, 2020

Well, definitely not a Sally lightfoot; research Mithrax crab and I think you'll have your answer. BTW, they can be colored red or green. Maybe a Mithraculus forceps

lpsouth1978 · Apr 25, 2020

I am going to change my answer based on the new evidence which has been presented. This appears to be a Mithrax crab. It may not be an emerald, not pink like a strawberry, but a Mithrax crab none the less. Keep him!