Acropora Crab ID needed

[returnofsid]

I picked up a small Acropora maricultured colony and it came with a tiny crab in it. Usually, I remove and destroy any and all crabs, if I ever find any...lol. However, I'm almost certain this is one of the beneficial variety, generically referred to as Bandit Crabs. I figured I'd get some more opinions. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a very good picture of it. The entire crab is an "ivory white" color, except for around it's eyes/face. The claw tips are the same "ivory white" color.

 

[FaviaFreak]

yup...harmless acro crab

 

[rjbesch]

I have one just like that living in a mili colony, he hasn't left the colony as far as i know and he is neat to watch snag stuff out of the water column when it floats by during tank feedings

 

[returnofsid]

It is awful cute. I almost removed and destroyed it, “just in case.” But after looking at it awhile, I convinced myself it was a safe one! Last time I made that mistake, the I ended up with a monstrous thing that ate entire colonies of Zoanthids, terrorized my Skimmer intake tube and eventually died in my sump…lol. But, it looked nothing like this one.

 

[rjbesch]

Yea, as soon as I got it in its place when I got home from the store I saw it moving and called the owner of the store and asked him about the crab. After I compared him to his description of a safe one I decided to let the crab stay because he looked cozy in his little colony