Live Sand Hitchhiker ID Help

CheifReeferNB

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 5, 2025
Messages
103
Reaction score
58
Location
Massachusetts
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
If recently purchased some live sand from gulf live rock. It’s a very rubble like substrate and has come with a ton of critters. I need some help identifying them. I’ve attached some images below. Any help would be appreciated!

Crab 1:
Camouflaged red crab. Furry legs and a little red hat looking mark. Kind of looks like a jumping spider. Clinging on to that rock for dear life would not budge when I moved him around.
20251226_001317_081F1404-6375-4353-81E3-18E39300C3E0.png

20251226_001336_C9CECC7D-2DAF-49E6-AD07-6B9977CD0C98.png

Crab 2:
Little all white crab. Scared of light and hides in sand.
20251226_001407_750BFA4A-E172-4A13-A14B-79DA34C2BB9B.png

20251226_001407_5776D965-7A56-4266-9E2A-88ECEF95C7B6.png
 
I’m thinking crab 1 is a decorator crab and the second one is a small porcelain crab. Can’t quite tell though.
For certain they are interesting, biodiverse & probably a beneficial member of CUC.
 
I would isolate them in some container they can’t crawl out of like a like tupperware side dish or plastic container. Until you’re sure they not harmful.
 
Hitchhiker crabs are definitely a trust, but verify, situation to me.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART OF REEFING TO EXPLAIN TO A NON-REEFER?

  • Why a tiny coral frag can cost that much

    Votes: 13 27.7%
  • Why I spend time testing and adjusting water

    Votes: 7 14.9%
  • Why the fish I want might not fit my tank

    Votes: 8 17.0%
  • Why I have buckets, tubing, and salt around the house

    Votes: 1 2.1%
  • Why corals are living animals, not decorations

    Votes: 13 27.7%
  • How much time and attention a reef takes

    Votes: 13 27.7%
  • The difference between freshwater and saltwater creatures

    Votes: 2 4.3%
  • I’ve stopped trying to explain

    Votes: 13 27.7%
  • Other (Post in the comments)

    Votes: 6 12.8%
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new