Is this a gorilla crab?

[bsfmaximus]

I have had these hitchhikers in my tank for going on a year. They look like very large Emerald crabs that are hairy. One is mostly black and the other is black and white.
The only thing strange I have noticed in my tank was the death of two diamond watchmen gobies. Not sure if coincidental or if they could have been culprits.

 

[Reefpro]

Is he fury? Or have blue eyes?

 

[Andreww65]

Look like big emerald crabs. I would get them out. They will kill again.

 

[jetmaker]

If it's hairy it's a gorilla crab

 

[bsfmaximus]

I couldn't tell you what color the eyes are but they are hairy. They typically stay hidden until night time when they will poke out from under the rocks a little. Recently I have seen them more and during the day time. I'm guessing they are getting more brazen or running out of room under rocks. They looked like very large emerald crabs when I first saw them a year ago. They now look like enormous emerald crabs.

 

[jetmaker]

I couldn't tell you what color the eyes are but they are hairy. They typically stay hidden until night time when they will poke out from under the rocks a little. Recently I have seen them more and during the day time. I'm guessing they are getting more brazen or running out of room under rocks. They looked like very large emerald crabs when I first saw them a year ago. They now look like enormous emerald crabs.

Hairy and hiding is gorilla crab

 

[bsfmaximus]

So, by leaving them am I rolling the dice with my fish, inverts, coral? What kind of damage can they do? I didn't find anything too conclusive online, just found out that's what they might be through word of mouth.

 

[jetmaker]

I removed mine they can create havoc in your tank

 

[JACK50REEF]

I have a no crab rule. With an exception of a porcelain crab, which stays in his anemone. I don't even have hermit crabs. I would take him out to be safe.

 

[Tautog]

Take him out, the bigger he gets, the more he eats. I had a crab that ate 2 cleaner shrimp after shedding. I can't eat $60.00 shrimp in one night, either can that crab.............anymore!

 

[bsfmaximus]

Thanks for the confirmation and info. Any advice on getting him out? And his big brother... There are at least two. This one and an all black one of at least equal size.

 

[Reefersutherland_]

Harlequin tusk

 

[jetmaker]

I had to remove the rock to get mine out but some people have had luck with the glass slide you can google it

 

[Rydogg420]

Its hard to tell by that picture. But Ohhhh you will know if it's a gorilla crab or not! Lol..
I had something killing off corals one by one. Then one night I saw this mean little crab just going to town on a piece of sps. It was blackish in color and was clearly pulling polyps off. It pretty much destroyed one fist sized coral a night until I finally saw him!
Just get that guy out, and if you still have issues, wait till the lights are off and get out a flashlight and start looking. Most things kill at night..

 

[bsfmaximus]

Thanks all! I haven't noticed any damage to my coral but have had two diamond watchman gobies kick the bucket fairly fast. Also, I have no sps; only softies and lps.

 

[buzzword]

If it has black tipped claws it is most likely a gorilla crab or a stone crab. Xanthid crab species most likely. I have gotten mine out with bottle traps and stabbing them with forceps or a skewer.