Good Crab or Bad?

[ErehwoN]

Hitchhiking crab. 1-1.5" across the legs. Keep or pitch?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Chortanator]

That kind of looks like an emerald crab, but I don't see any claws? Does it have front claws?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Does it have any claws?
The markings look like an emerald.

 

[ErehwoN]

That kind of looks like an emerald crab, but I don't see any claws? Does it have front claws?

Does it have any claws?
The markings look like an emerald.

I picked him up and rolled him over and no front claws, or they have been broken off.

JIm

 

[Sharkbait19]

If you have a sump, you can keep it in there for a bit.
It looks like an emerald, but I wouldn’t want to put it in without confirmation. It likely lost the claws in a fight.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Mithrax female

 

[ReefLife_Guy]

Agree with those above looks like an emerald crab (aka Mithraculus sculptus or mithrax crab). They are awesome for bubble algae, I have 2 in my tank one for each rock structure. They will hide and you may never see them again but they work behind the scenes very well. I only catch mine when at night when the lights go off. Their claws and legs can fall off and be regrown. If he is moving around and still alive, I would personally keep him. Mine doesn't bother anything either, just eats algae off the rocks at night.

Picture of my male one below with his big claws.

 

[ErehwoN]

Thanks for the responses! I like the sump idea and will likely go that direction.

Jim