Friend or Foe?

[sdh]

This little guy came in to my tank via TBS live rock (along with several Gorilla crabs...now dispatched).

Reef safe?

 

[nsteinca]

Based off the pointed claws, I’d think likely not reef safe. Looked through TBS’s hitchhiker page and nothing jumped out at me as being this crab, but you may be able to get a better look at your crab vs the common crab hitchhikers that come on TB live rock. TBS may be able to quickly identify it for you if you send them pictures via email - https://tbsaltwater.com/hitchhikers/

 

[cehawley]

On behalf of Steven, Thank you! We also looked through the hitchhiker guide (to the galaxy?) and couldn't see one that jumped out at us.

 

[nsteinca]

On behalf of Steven, Thank you! We also looked through the hitchhiker guide (to the galaxy?) and couldn't see one that jumped out at us.

It’s tough trying to ID some of the crabs. I’d try emailing them and seeing if they can give you an ID. On some other threads, people have recommended trying to feed it some meaty foods (like shrimp) with tongs to see how ravenous it is.

 

[MoshJosh]

I am not an expert, but it seems pretty similar to a porcelain crab. If that is the case it is worth keeping. . .

@ISpeakForTheSeas

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I am not an expert, but it seems pretty similar to a porcelain crab. If that is the case it is worth keeping. . .

@ISpeakForTheSeas

Yeah, that's a porcelain crab, and it is indeed reef-safe.

Porcelain crabs have three walking legs pairs, a pair of bigs claws, and a pair of "windshield wipers" tucked under their body.

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

Based off the pointed claws, I’d think likely not reef safe. Looked through TBS’s hitchhiker page and nothing jumped out at me as being this crab, but you may be able to get a better look at your crab vs the common crab hitchhikers that come on TB live rock. TBS may be able to quickly identify it for you if you send them pictures via email - https://tbsaltwater.com/hitchhikers/

Porcelain Crab

This little guy came in to my tank via TBS live rock (along with several Gorilla crabs...now dispatched).

Reef safe?

Porcelain Crabs are reef safe. They will not eat fish, snails, corals or hermits. They will filter through the water column for food and pick detritus off rock. Porcelains are very common on TBS live rock.
Color ranges from reds, browns, purple and teal blue. Some are very tiny and when mature max out at 2".

 

[cehawley]

Thought I'd add to this post with a video @sdh shot of one of the gorilla crabs we caught. The video was taken last week, before we executed yesterday's purge.