Underwater spider of death?

[reefjim]

Ok, so what’s this latest critter?

it’s on one of my hammers and the coral has definitely retracted from it presence. Looked great about 1hr ago.

looks different to anything I have seen before, best described as underwater spider or tick.

is it a helpful fellow or another assassination job?

any natural fellows that will eat these

 

[reefjim]

Update:

folllowed gut and removed

he is alive for now pending the courts ruling

better pics below

 

[WheatToast]

https://www.reefcleaners.org/store/out-of-season/mime-crab-detail
https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/topic/409361-reefcleaners-micro-decorator-crab-info-thread/

 

[reefjim]

So just confirming is this fellow reef safe?

The hammer was definitely less than impressed

 

[reefjim]

Because a miniature decorator crab would be an amazing addition to the reef community

 

[ScubaShane]

Looks like a baby Deco Arrow Crab.

 

[reefjim]

So I’m thinking sump buddy then? Just to be safe, any final thoughts

 

[WheatToast]

So just confirming is this fellow reef safe?

The hammer was definitely less than impressed

No personal experience; based on what I am reading online, it looks like some species may attempt to wear coral polyps. Definitely a cool find, though.
@reefcleaners

 

[JoJosReef]

Looks very much like a baby decorator crab. Mine that I got from ReefCleaners only lasted one day in my tank--had a healthy appetite for corals and didn't discriminate.

 

[reefjim]

Ok so I have put him back in and I’m giving him a chance!

atm there isn’t much for him to get at and he’s the size of my fingernail

so let’s see if he makes a cool addition or is a small coral thief

 

[reefcleaners Verified Sponsor]

Update:

folllowed gut and removed

he is alive for now pending the courts ruling

better pics below

I think it is a Macrocoeloma Decorator or Epialtid Mime Crab. Shaped more like a Macroeloma, there is an Epialtid Mime Crab with that color pattern. Mime Crabs have an arrow head thing going on with their carapace, Decorators are more tear dropped shape. It has to be somewhere in here:

Majoidea - Google Search

www.google.com

There aren't many good guides on these species, and multiple names may apply to the same species.

 

[JoJosReef]

Looks very much like a baby decorator crab. Mine that I got from ReefCleaners only lasted one day in my tank--had a healthy appetite for corals and didn't discriminate.

It was rehomed to a very nice sump, though!