Crab ID Please

Squishie89 · Jul 1, 2013

I got this crab in some macro algae a few months ago and I put him in the sump/refugium because I could not ID him. I couldn't find him again until tonight and grabbed him. I am hoping someone can ID him. He appears to be a molted brown/beige/black, has brown claws. He seems to be thriving in the sump because he was about half as big when I put him in, nothing else but macro algae and rock lives in the sump, so he must be surviving on detritus/leftover food/macro algae. But would like to put him in the display if he wont hurt anything. He is currently in a holding container in the display till he gets the okay.

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NanaReefer · Jul 2, 2013

Check here for best hitchhiker crab ID. Hope it helps. Sorry I can't get a good look at it's pinchers.
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchcrabs.html

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Mike J. · Jul 2, 2013

I'm sorry I can't identify the exact species of that crab. I am assuming it is a type Xanthid species because it's not a swimming crab and it has pointed claws. I can assure you however that it will roam around at night and eat EVERYTHING that is edible. I can assuredly tell you it is not a good crab to put in a display.

Squishie89 · Jul 2, 2013

Oh boy okay. Should I not risk him even in the open top holding container till tomorrow afternoon?

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Kworker · Jul 2, 2013

Not worth the risk in my opinion, if you feel your area in the sump is large enough I would just leave him in there.

Squishie89 · Jul 2, 2013

I went and put him back in the sump. He was already trying to push himself through a hole, poor guy. Thanks for the help guys!

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