Crab Identification

[overland04]

I just received my live rock order from TBS and they packaged this crab separately as a freebie.
It's the only thing in the tank at the moment, so if it's not reef safe, I have a better chance of getting him out. I can't seem to find a decent match to identify.

Any thoughts?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Great front-facing pic of that crab there (both aesthetically and for ID purposes).

Can you get a straight-on, aerial view pic of the crab's top/back under that lighting?

 

[logibear]

@LiverockRocks care to share?

 

[jabberwock]

I am thinking decorator crab.

 

[JoJosReef]

Claws look mithrax-y to me.

 

[Fish Fan]

I am thinking decorator crab.

Claws look mithrax-y to me.

I have some TBS rock and sand, and the crab that they sent me packaged separately as “free” was a red Mithrax crab. Additionally, I got some porcelain crabs and other critters as hitchhikers including a decorator crab which is so well decorated you’d hardly know it’s a crab until you see it move. I believe what the OP has is indeed a Mithrax crab, maybe the green emerald variety.

 

[jabberwock]

I have some TBS rock and sand, and the crab that they sent me packaged separately as “free” was a red Mithrax crab. Additionally, I got some porcelain crabs and other critters as hitchhikers including a decorator crab which is so well decorated you’d hardly know it’s a crab until you see it move. I believe what the OP has is indeed a Mithrax crab, maybe the green emerald variety.

I got a red mithrax from them too. The ONLY crabs I will tolerate are porcelain crabs. This is one of six porcelain crabs. Great CUC.

Here is a BAD crab for reference. Gorilla crab.

 

[Fish Fan]

Not the best video, but here’s my decorator crab looking a lot like a crab. If you see him when he’s not moving he looks just like a clump of algae, you;d hardly know it was a crab.

 

[jabberwock]

Here is the red mithrax.

 

[jabberwock]

Not the best video, but here’s my decorator crab looking a lot like a crab. If you see him when he’s not moving he looks just like a clump of algae, you;d hardly know it was a crab.

Somebody Should 3D print hats for them like some people do for urchins.

 

[Fish Fan]

Somebody Should 3D print hats for them like some people do for urchins.

LOL! I'd like to see that!

 

[overland04]

Got a slightly better bit if this helps.

 

[jabberwock]

Got a slightly better bit if this helps.

Yeah mithrax I think. They are good for eating algae. Decorator's have a more triangular shape. Roll of the dice though... Might be fine, but in my mind, if it has claws, it breaks laws. Except for porcelain crabs. Porcelain crabs are filter feeders and are 100% safe. (maybe)

 

[krollins]

I want to get that crab.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Got a slightly better bit if this helps.

Yeah, it does seem to be a Mithracid species, so it may well be reef-safe/reef-safe with caution - I'm not sure what species it is off hand though.

 

[mdpitts]

I got a red mithrax from them too. The ONLY crabs I will tolerate are porcelain crabs. This is one of six porcelain crabs. Great CUC.

Here is a BAD crab for reference. Gorilla crab.

Wow! That guy looks like a bad character for sure.