Can I get an ID on this crab and this worm

[Bellamy803]

I have 3 emeralds but this other guy has emerged over the last week. He’s a red/orange color. Isn’t quite as big as my emeralds.....just making sure he isn’t going to be a coral destroyer.

Ans the work, I have quite a few of these. Babies all the way up to 3-5inches

Sorry about the blurt pics with the crab. He wouldn’t get close enough to get a solid focus on him.

If I can’t figure him out soon he’s going to have to come out but I’d rather leave him if he is harmless.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

No idea on the crab: the worm is some type of bristle worm. Based on the spacing of the bristles and the fact that there are a top and bottom set of bristles I would say it’s some type of fireworm. I’m pretty sure not all of them eat coral but I know for certain the bearded fire worm does. Whatever the species I’d build a trap and remove it ASAP.

 

[Soren]

If the crab looks the same as an emerald crab except for color, it might be a red mithrax crab (emerald crabs are also called emerald mithrax crabs).

I am not sure on the worm (other than likely bristle worm of some type), but it seems that fire worms typically have bristles that appear more fuzzy than the ones in your picture. I am far from expert on the topic, though.

 

[ReefBridge]

Not sure on the crab based on the pictures. It has the same claws and hairy legs as a emerald crab. I can’t see the body very well. I would lean towards a red emerald (mithrax) crab.

The worm looks like a regular bristle worm. Fireworms have a more defined head. Also, I’ve heard fireworms are more likely to climb over the live rock rather than keep partially in a hole. Bristleworms come out at night a lot more too.

 

[Bellamy803]

Thanks for the info, I will say the red crab does look a bit like the Emeralds. The major difference to me though is the claws look a little more pointy sharp rather than emeralds have a curve to them. Maybe it’s just because it’s so much smaller. It’s def displaying similar behavior as the emeralds.

Heres another pic of smaller worm in there. (Let me tell you.....these live rocks I got are freaking loaded with creatures. I’m talking bristle stars the size of my palm. Tons of baby stars. I know I’ve seen 10+ worms and maybe 3-4 different variants but similar. New crabs. 1 large feather duster and 7-10 tiny ones. I’m sure I’m forgetting some stuff.

 

[living_tribunal]

I have 3 emeralds but this other guy has emerged over the last week. He’s a red/orange color. Isn’t quite as big as my emeralds.....just making sure he isn’t going to be a coral destroyer.

Ans the work, I have quite a few of these. Babies all the way up to 3-5inches

Sorry about the blurt pics with the crab. He wouldn’t get close enough to get a solid focus on him.

If I can’t figure him out soon he’s going to have to come out but I’d rather leave him if he is harmless.

Pitho crab. My absolute favorite. Hardy as h*** and is a massive cleaner, better than Mithrax imo.

 

[living_tribunal]

Does he burrow under the sand and wave when food is passing over him?

 

[living_tribunal]

No idea on the crab: the worm is some type of bristle worm. Based on the spacing of the bristles and the fact that there are a top and bottom set of bristles I would say it’s some type of fireworm. I’m pretty sure not all of them eat coral but I know for certain the bearded fire worm does. Whatever the species I’d build a trap and remove it ASAP.

Not a fireworm. You have a better chance of winning the lottery than having a legitimate fireworm in your tank. The worms in that pic look nothing like a fireworm as well. That’s a good ole bristle and a excellent addition to every tank.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Not a fireworm. You have a better chance of winning the lottery than having a legitimate fireworm in your tank. The worms in that pic look nothing like a fireworm as well. That’s a good ole bristle and a excellent addition to every tank.

Agreed. The second pic makes it obvious. That first one scared me lol. If I can get a good look at it or I’m ever unsure I always say it’s a fireworm and opt to kill it. I don’t even like bristle worms. Dudes creep me out.

 

[living_tribunal]

Agreed. The second pic makes it obvious. That first one scared me lol. If I can get a good look at it or I’m ever unsure I always say it’s a fireworm and opt to kill it. I don’t even like bristle worms. Dudes creep me out.

Then don’t come near my tank

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Then don’t come near my tank

Those actually aren’t that bad. They kinda look cool. My dad had some that got like the thickness of my finger (whatever kind that woulda been) and once they get that big I’m done.

 

[anthonygf]

Those actually aren’t that bad. They kinda look cool. My dad had some that got like the thickness of my finger (whatever kind that woulda been) and once they get that big I’m done.

If you have that many bristle worms you are overfeeding. My tank has been running for 5 years now and just starting to see a few. Time to cut back on food.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

If you have that many bristle worms you are overfeeding

Bristle worms period usually creep me out. Dad musta been way overfeeding them because I’m telling you his were sausages. His wrasse even quit eating them.

 

[anthonygf]

Bristle worms period usually creep me out. Dad musta been way overfeeding them because I’m telling you his were sausages. His wrasse even quit eating them.

Maybe he liked the worms as much as the coral and fish?

 

[living_tribunal]

If you have that many bristle worms you are overfeeding. My tank has been running for 5 years now and just starting to see a few. Time to cut back on food.

My reef is running just fine, no nuisance anything in sight and corals growing like a weed. Maybe you feed too little.

 

[anthonygf]

My reef is running just fine, no nuisance anything in sight and corals growing like a weed. Maybe you feed too little.

Too little? I think I feed a little too much. ON/Reef Flakes twice a day, a few days a week 4 cubes once a day plus flakes. Some phyto a couple days a week.

 

[anthonygf]

My reef is running just fine, no nuisance anything in sight and corals growing like a weed. Maybe you feed too little.

That is not a picture of your reef is it?

 

[living_tribunal]

Too little? I think I feed a little too much. ON/Reef Flakes twice a day, a few days a week 4 cubes once a day plus flakes. Some phyto a couple days a week.

Then speak for yourself, I feed less than that aside from what the corals get fed.

 

[living_tribunal]

That is not a picture of your reef is it?

It is? I posted it didn't I.

 

[anthonygf]

My reef is running just fine, no nuisance anything in sight and corals growing like a weed. Maybe you feed too little.

I didn't mean to imply your tank is not running fine. I was just stating what I have learned on this site, worms are the result of excessive nutrients like uneaten food.