Is this non-reef safe crab?

[fishface NJ]

Just got a delivery from KP Aquatics. Is he a bad crab?

 

[Gtinnel]

I'm sure someone else will be able to tell you what kind of crab it is but from my experience almost all crabs are not reef safe.

 

[fishface NJ]

I have kept a reef tank since 1996 and never bought a crab from a LFS. So no experience with them except seeing emerald crab at the store.

 

[Devin6871]

Thats some kind of mithrax crab. Emeralds are also a mithrax.

That being said emeralds can sometimes chew things you don't want them to. I have had to banish two to the sump in the last couple months.

That one doesn't currently have the means to feed itself with the damage to it's claws. If it sheds it may regenerate and live though.

 

[LegendaryCG]

Pretty much every crab besides small hermits are bad and even those kill snails.

 

[Maritimer]

That's a red mithrax - essentially, it's an emerald crab (opinions on the reef-safeness of emeralds vary, but they're algae eaters - including bubble algae - and among the more reef-safe crabs) painted red.

I suppose that if you've got red mithrax and emerald crabs, you could say you've got Christmas crabs?

~B.