Hitchhiker crab ID?

johnf3 · Jan 25, 2024

Just curious if anyone knows the proper identification of this crab? The guy at the store said it came in on some rock in an NPS coral shipment.
He ate one of my tube anemones unfortunately so I put him in this breeding box for now

Thanks!

TX_REEF · Jan 25, 2024

It looks like a calico crab, and if it is, certainly not reef safe. You can put it in your fuge if you have one, otherwise you’ll want to re-home it

JoJosReef · Jan 25, 2024

Pretty crab, but does not look reef safe.

Reefkeepers Archive · Jan 25, 2024

@ISpeakForTheSeas

nkyreef · Jan 25, 2024

Gaudy Clown crab maybe?

Reefkeepers Archive · Jan 25, 2024

nkyreef said:
Gaudy Clown crab maybe?

A Palythoa eater

I know some people who would like that!

ISpeakForTheSeas · Jan 25, 2024

Reefkeepers Archive said:
@ISpeakForTheSeas

nkyreef said:
Gaudy Clown crab maybe?

TX_REEF said:
It looks like a calico crab, and if it is, certainly not reef safe. You can put it in your fuge if you have one, otherwise you’ll want to re-home it

Not a calico or a gaudy clown crab (though it certainly resembles both quite a bit) - I believe this is a Floral Egg Crab, Atergatis floridus.

Their coloration varies quite a bit, but a lot of them have similar coloration and patterning to this.

Regardless of the exact species, though, this crab is definitely not reef-safe. If you have a sump you can put it in where it can't get at the wires, it could be a cool sump crab to keep.

johnf3 · Jan 25, 2024

ISpeakForTheSeas said:
Not a calico or a gaudy clown crab (though it certainly resembles both quite a bit) - I believe this is a Floral Egg Crab, Atergatis floridus.

Their coloration varies quite a bit, but a lot of them have similar coloration and patterning to this.

Regardless of the exact species, though, this crab is definitely not reef-safe. If you have a sump you can put it in where it can't get at the wires, it could be a cool sump crab to keep.

Seems to be a match! I appreciate it. Yes plan on rehoming him