Mystery one pincher crab

[Zach Sonker]

This crab was on a rock i purchased. What kind is he? Thanks! Sorry for bad pictures, my phone does not like the metal halide lighting.

 

[SAPPER]

At a stab I would say Xanthidae, if you get a photo of its carapace people might have a better idea.

 

[Zach Sonker]

At a stab I would say Xanthidae, if you get a photo of its carapace people might have a better idea.

I googled the species you listed. It has a smpoth hairless shell. My crabs shell seems to be covered with hair.

 

[SAPPER]

There are about 570 species of Xanthidae. Some are smooth, rough, hairy, big, small, carry anemone in there claws some are classed as reef safe some are not.

 

[Zach Sonker]

There are about 570 species of Xanthidae. Some are smooth, rough, hairy, big, small, carry anemone in there claws some are classed as reef safe some are not.

Ahh ok, is it possibly a porcelain crab? Its got the same shell texture and small pincher

 

[SAPPER]

It definitely looks like a true crab to me so I wouldnt say its a porcelain. Plus I dont see any maxillipeds, porcelains have pincers for defence then to feather like appendages to collect food. Porcelains are not true crabs they are a closer relation to the squat lobster.

 

[Zach Sonker]

Ok my friend, i have painstakenly removed him from my tank and put in a small hob refugium. I took a couple pictures b4 moving him into the fuge. Hope it helps us both figure if he is harmless. I have 2 clowns and a small coral beauty as he grows out in here. Zoas, candy coral, couple anems, and couple other lps and a clam are in this tank atm. Doesnt appear he has done anythinf wrong. Yet

 

[Maritimer]

Florida liverock?

If so, I may have the same crab ... and the same knowledge of its name.

~Bruce

 

[Zach Sonker]

Honestly couldnt tell you where it came from. Im in NY and we get stuff from anywhere and everywhere for like 8$ a lb. In a bin of water

 

[SAPPER]

Markings are similar to a Lophozozymus Xanthidae. Pretty sure thats an Xanthidae.

 

[Zach Sonker]

Well besides being poisonous to eat, anything wring with keeping it in a reef tank? Ie, do they eat corals or fish. I do not see a lot of info about that online just that some are endangered and I shouldnt eat him...

 

[Zach Sonker]

Hes pretty relaxed. Didnt even attack me when i was struggling to remove him from the tank.

 

[SAPPER]

No true crab can really be trusted they are all opportunists. Some are really good predators some are steady away.

 

[ncaldwell]

I wouldn't risk leaving it with fish. Mostly when they sleep at night with an opportunistic crab wandering around. I'd see if anyone had a large refugium with weird critters that would like to have him

 

[Zach Sonker]

Yea ill check around. You guys think he is more dangerous than an emerald?