Crab hitchiker

[Kimelix]

Found this small crab on my gorgonia that arrived today. Around 1 cm in size. Is it okay to put in the tank or will I regret it later?

 

[JoJosReef]

Cute! Looks like a red mithrax crab to me ("red" emerald), but hard to exactly tell with the claws in the picture. Are they blunt-ended or sharp and pointy? If a mithrax, definitely an interesting keeper.

 

[Kimelix]

The claws are pointy with white tips. I would love to have a large crab, but most seems to wreak havoc in one way or another.

 

[JoJosReef]

The claws are pointy with white tips. I would love to have a large crab, but most seems to wreak havoc in one way or another.

They do look a bit more pointy. Red mithrax crabs can have whiter tips, too:

but the carapace on yours looks less knobby and the arms/claws a bit bulkier, which might mean this guy isn't into salads. @ISpeakForTheSeas Do you recognize OP's crab?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

@ISpeakForTheSeas Do you recognize OP's crab?

Unfortunately no - but I struggle with ID'ing red and brown crabs. I will say, though, the body shape looks slightly off for a Mithraculus sp., and I don't see the extra arm joint on OP's crab like you can see on those Red Mithrax crabs.

Personally, based on the body shape and arms, I'd guess it's not reef-safe. My best guess at a species (which is likely wrong) is Lydia annulipe.

 

[Kimelix]

I really hate killing stuff that comes with corals etc. Could it eat sps or lps, fish?

 

[F i s h y]

I really hate killing stuff that comes with corals etc. Could it eat sps or lps, fish?

Put it in your sump or find a local reefer to take it.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Could it eat sps or lps, fish?

Depending on the species, it could, yes.

As mentioned, if you have a sump, then you can put it in there; otherwise, you can start a small tank for it or see if you can give it away.

 

[JoJosReef]

I've had great luck giving away hitchhiker crabs to locals after posting them with pics. One person drove to my office to pick up a gorilla crab because their daughter thought it was cute (I confirmed they knew to put it in their sump, not in their display).

 

[Kimelix]

It seems to prefer hair algea over artemia. I will keep it in a breeder box for a few days.

 

[kjkszpj9]

It doesnt look like a gorilla crab atleast so thats good.