"Decorator Crab"

[Kiboshed]

This was labeled as a Decorator Crab at my local Petco. Been there over a month and I think it's fascinating.

What species is this specifically and is it reef safe?

Would love to get this little guy for my 32 Gallon Biocube, but not if he is going to harm my fish or corals. Only other inverts in the tank are snails, and urchin, and 1 scarlet hermit crab

 

[Reefing102]

Definitely looks like a type of decorator crab but I’m not sure which one. @ISpeakForTheSeas

 

[Cthulukelele]

Agree looks like decorator not sure on species. I've seen things looking like that described as sponge decorator crabs before. Also as for reef safeness they definitely frag coral to use for their camo

 

[Kiboshed]

Agree looks like decorator not sure on species. I've seen things looking like that described as sponge decorator crabs before. Also as for reef safeness they definitely frag coral to use for their camo

Just soft corals like GSP and Zoans? Or SPS and LPS also?

 

[Cthulukelele]

Just soft corals like GSP and Zoans or SPS and LPS?

Mostly soft coral, but fleshy LPS is a tempting treat for a lot of ocean life

 

[Kiboshed]

Mostly soft coral, but fleshy LPS is a tempting treat for a lot of ocean life

Lol No doubt.

dang why do crabs have to be so cool, but so difficult?

 

[Cthulukelele]

Lol No doubt.

dang why do crabs have to be so cool, but so difficult?

For sure. Also if it helps I had a spider decorator in my sunlit plague softy tank. They were maybe my favorite thing in there.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

What species is this specifically

For a species ID, you'll likely need to get a straight-on, top-down shot of the full back of the crab; you may need a straight-on pic of its face and claws as well.

 

[Kiboshed]

For sure. Also if it helps I had a spider decorator in my sunlit plague softy tank. They were maybe my favorite thing in there.

I'm sitting here trying to justify buying it like "Maybe I only get cheap corals?" Lol

 

[maethuu]

I bought 2 small decorator crabs and they were okay for a few months then they started to eat my soft corals. They never really wore any corals which was disappointing.

 

[Kiboshed]

I bought 2 small decorator crabs and they were okay for a few months then they started to eat my soft corals. They never really wore any corals which was disappointing.

Awww that's a bummer some soft coral destruction would almost be worth it if they actually wore it around.

 

[ReeferHD]

That crab is Marcocoeloma Trispinosum AKA The sponge decorator crab, they won't eat corals but he'll rip them apart to camouflage with. one of my all time favorite inverts!