Gorilla Crab? Help ID this little guy

[JamesCameron1]

Is this a small gorilla crab? I found him hiding in my rock. I don't want to get rid of it if its not a nuisance crab.

 

[cracker]

Does it have hair ? Looks like it. Lets hear what others say.

 

[JamesCameron1]

Is this a small gorilla crab? I found him hiding in my rock. I don't want to get rid of it if its not a nuisance crab.

Not tons... very very fine hair on its legs and then a weird row of hairs across the top of him.... like a unibrow lol

 

[Maritimer]

Not a gorilla - they're seriously hairy - but also not the sort of crab that's likely to keep you happy if you keep him in your display. Where did you get this guy from?

~Bruce, who's never seen a crab with eyebrows like Freida Kahlo before . . . !

 

[JamesCameron1]

He appeared out of nowhere. I assume he came with my rock... 4 months ago.

 

[Roy 9121]

I've always heard if they have hair, you don't want them in your tank.

 

[Katrina71]

Coral eater with awesome eyebrows

 

[JamesCameron1]

Coral eater with awesome eyebrows

So I assume he will also eat anything else if the opportunity presents itself.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm not a crabologist, but I would not leave him in my tank. He'd be great in a sump.

 

[JamesCameron1]

Thanks guys!

 

[Maritimer]

I assume he came with my rock... 4 months ago.

Do you know what part of the ocean the rock came from? That might help to identify such an unusual crab.

~Bruce

 

[JamesCameron1]

Do you know what part of the ocean the rock came from? That might help to identify such an unusual crab.

~Bruce

Yes. It came out of the gulf of Mexico... 12 miles off shore just north of Tampa Florida. The company I bought my rock from gets it there.

 

[Roy 9121]

I'm not a crabologist, but I would not leave him in my tank. He'd be great in a sump.

What is the advantage of putting it in your sump?

 

[savetheocean]

What is the advantage of putting it in your sump?

So you dont have to kill it.

 

[Roy 9121]

So you dont have to kill it.

Oh, ok. If you put them in your refugium, will they eat the algae?

 

[savetheocean]

I guess they would eat some of it. They arent really a help and down there they wouldnt be a pest.

Oh, ok. If you put them in your refugium, will they eat the algae?[/QUOT

 

[Maritimer]

In the 'fuge, he'll likely appreciate a feeding now and again. These guys have a preference for meaty items. (Why they're not recommended for a display.)

~Bruce