Hitchhiking Crab I.D. Please Help

Italeri · Dec 13, 2012

I saw this crab a while back in my 40 gal. breeder. I was surprised that I had never seen him before because of his size, and because I have had my 40 running for 2 years now. I was able to catch him today and take a few pictures. I am curious whether he is good or bad. He is residing in my sump for now.

Anyway, thanks for the help!

Pkunk35 · Dec 13, 2012

Oooh, gorilla crab and def not reef safe.

Nice pic!

Steviereefs · Dec 13, 2012

+1 no good, too bad but they even look mean.

Italeri · Dec 13, 2012

will it attack fish? I am thinking of leaving it in the sump and seeing how big I can get it to grow

User Name · Dec 15, 2012

great pictures. It could be a crab in the pilodius genus. Doubtful a crab will go after or catch a healthy fish. The sump is the best idea for safety.

that novice guy · Dec 15, 2012

he looks so cool but definetly not reef safe

Dsdaley77 · Dec 16, 2012

Yeah not reef safe!!!! I lost a six line, strawberry pseudo, green clown goby and a pink skunk clown before I could rehome my other gobies and clown until it could be removed. Still havn't caught the punk so no fish til I get him

the crab would take out the fish at night.

User Name · Dec 16, 2012

Dsdaley77 said:
Yeah not reef safe!!!! I lost a six line, strawberry pseudo, green clown goby and a pink skunk clown before I could rehome my other gobies and clown until it could be removed. Still havn't caught the punk so no fish til I get him the crab would take out the fish at night.

Is it the same crab as this guy? Do you have any photos?

SNAKEMANVET · Dec 16, 2012

Agree with others not safe,Dsdaley77 try to find which rock it stays in and remove rock if possible.I have two crabs in my sump now,and occasionally feed them.

Dsdaley77 · Dec 16, 2012

Here ya go

same structure, a little less hairy and very black. He is so fast I just can't get him, even tried just stabbing him to death with my 12in plastic tongs lol Nothing

I will get him one of these days. The rock he lives in has a 7in maxi that lives on it as well so I can't just take the rock out (which is 20lbs by itself). Next idea is to plug all the holes with reef epoxy

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User Name · Dec 17, 2012

Dsdaley, that's a crab in the Chlorodiella genus. Have you thought of trying the cup and shrimp method to catch this guy?

Dsdaley77 · Dec 17, 2012

I have tried all sorts of stuff, could you elaborate on what you mean?

drtyjrzy · Dec 17, 2012

I was able to catch an emerald crab that got to big and started snacking on some of my zoas by cutting the top off of a 1 liter soda bottle and putting some food in it......problem was I caught every other invert in my tank first!!!! good luck!!

drtyjrzy · Dec 17, 2012

drtyjrzy said:
I was able to catch an emerald crab that got to big and started snacking on some of my zoas by cutting the top off of a 1 liter soda bottle and putting some food in it......problem was I caught every other invert in my tank first!!!! good luck!!

Sorry should be a little more clear, cut the top off the bottle and put the pouring end into the bottle so it looks like a cup at the top, the crab can walk in but not out.....it works great for catching fish as well.

User Name · Dec 17, 2012

Dsdaley77 said:
I have tried all sorts of stuff, could you elaborate on what you mean?

I have used a glass cup with a piece of shrimp in the bottom to catch crabs before in my tank. I placed the glass on an angle against the live rock where the crab tended to hang out. He climbs in to get the food. But can't climb out because the glass is too tall and slippery. Homemade crab trap.