Crab molt ID?

Kuhn · Jul 8, 2023

I just found this molt on the rockwork of my aquarium and I realized I have never knowingly put a crab like this in my tank.

Does anyone know what kind of crab this is? It's barely the size of a dime.

I tried to ID it using Google search by image and I kept getting either large Land crab pictures or warts on the skin lol

Thanks in advance

Mr. Wiggles · Jul 8, 2023

I’d guess Gorilla Crab. Keep an eye out for what rock it likes to hide in and try to get it out. I’ve had one sneak in and murder a ton of fish before I figured out what was going on.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 8, 2023

Kuhn said:
I just found this molt on the rockwork of my aquarium and I realized I have never knowingly put a crab like this in my tank.

Does anyone know what kind of crab this is? It's barely the size of a dime.

I tried to ID it using Google search by image and I kept getting either large Land crab pictures or warts on the skin lol

Thanks in advance

The hairy filaments are not a good sign which may suggest a type of Xanthidae which is related to gorilla crab. Time to find it and discard

Kuhn · Jul 8, 2023

Mr. Wiggles said:
I’d guess Gorilla Crab. Keep an eye out for what rock it likes to hide in and try to get it out. I’ve had one sneak in and murder a ton of fish before I figured out what was going on.

Oh no! That's worrisome... I'm gonna do some research on it and I'll keep an eye out
Thank you!

Kuhn · Jul 8, 2023

Mr. Wiggles said:
I’d guess Gorilla Crab. Keep an eye out for what rock it likes to hide in and try to get it out. I’ve had one sneak in and murder a ton of fish before I figured out what was going on.

Good to know! Sucks it's not beneficial.

I was hoping it was

Mr. Wiggles · Jul 8, 2023

Seems like it may be too small to do much damage at the moment, but yeah you want to deal with it before it grows!

I got mine out by finding its rock and removing from the tank. Then I think I blasted it with a hose and shook it around a lot haha. Trying to get it out directly it just receded into a crevice. Could also just keep the rock out of water until it dies, but then the rock would need to be re-cycled