Crab ID and what should i do with it?

Frigideus

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Still working on getting a mantis out of my tank somehow, but I also need to ask about this guy. It's pretty big with purple tipped claws. I know hairy legged crabs are usually a no-no but it seems like it gets along fine with the other cleaning residents of the tank (you can see him here hanging out with my two peppermints) and doesn't seem aggressive towards anybody as long as he has his personal space. The main problem is he likes to pick on my alveopora and has dragged the entire frag under the rock to nibble on it a few times. I send down a stone with seaweed attached to it down to his cave but it doesnt seem like it stops the crab from going after that specific coral. Any idea what I can do to tame it or should I sump it just to be safe?

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Send down more aleovopra, or other tasty coral and you can keep the crab happy?

Put it in the sump and feed it chunks of clam, or other meaty food?

Take it to the lfs and let the trigger fishes have him over for lunch?
 
I'd toss it in the sump for now, personally. It looks to be some sort of spider crab. While it's not behaving well in your tank, some species provide good services in the aquarium. Pitho crabs and Caribbean king crabs are excellent algae-eaters. Arrow crabs eat bristleworms.

It might be worth holding onto until it can be identified, but I'd totally understand if you just wanted to dispose of it.
 

WHAT KIND OF HAPPY ACCIDENT(S) HAVE YOU HAD IN YOUR REEF?

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  • It has survived a major setback

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  • At least six months old

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