Mhamilton0911
BitterSalty
I did see that the box crab was a hermit crab predator, so if you witness this feeding behavior it's definitely a contender.
Macro Algae & Corals 25 Gallon Peninsula
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Keeping in mind that I'm basing this off of the design on the shell - a juvenile Hepatus sp. perhaps? I don't think it's any of the species I've found pictures for, but there are a handful of these species down by Florida, and they all seem to have a pattern similar to what's shown on your crab.
H. epheliticus:
www.crabdatabase.info
Unknown H. sp.:
The link below has a couple more of H. epheliticus and H. pudibundus (they look very different as juveniles than they do as adults):
H. epheliticus:
Crab Database · Crabs · Species Hepatus epheliticus
World's greatest crab encyclopedia
Redirect Notice
www.google.com
OP
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You are so kind! This is the first hitchhiker I’ve not been able to ID successfully. Definitely feels like we’re getting closer!
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OP
Did you see this one, too? Could this be our friend? Then again, maybe not, because this one has spots and a darker coloration. Although maybe those come with maturity?Keeping in mind that I'm basing this off of the design on the shell - a juvenile Hepatus sp. perhaps? I don't think it's any of the species I've found pictures for, but there are a handful of these species down by Florida, and they all seem to have a pattern similar to what's shown on your crab.
H. epheliticus:
Unknown H. sp.:Crab Database · Crabs · Species Hepatus epheliticus
World's greatest crab encyclopedia
The link below has a couple more of H. epheliticus and H. pudibundus (they look very different as juveniles than they do as adults):Redirect Notice
www.google.com
I saw it, and it could be the right one (as far as I can tell) or it might be a different species that we're looking at. Looking at as many photos as I can find of these guys, it does looks like those guys have the stripes/spots for their juvenile coloration, and then they turn pretty much a solid, (typically dark) brown color for their adult coloration - but I'm not sure. It looks like your crab might have a few spots on it right by the back of the shell (by the "V" shaped portion in particular), but I don't see any on the rest of the shell. They might develop the spots after the stripes though, I'm not sure.Did you see this one, too? Could this be our friend? Then again, maybe not, because this one has spots and a darker coloration. Although maybe those come with maturity?
OP
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If I had an award to give to you all, I would! This is some serious detective work that you folks have dedicated on behalf of my tank, and I very much appreciate you! I know we haven’t hit a final ID, but I think we’re as close as we’ve ever been.
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@LiverockRocks Before I forget to tag you, we may be close enough with our ID to confidently say our little friend is some kind of box crab. Maybe another one we can add to the critter page on the website?Keeping in mind that I'm basing this off of the design on the shell - a juvenile Hepatus sp. perhaps? I don't think it's any of the species I've found pictures for, but there are a handful of these species down by Florida, and they all seem to have a pattern similar to what's shown on your crab.
H. epheliticus:
Unknown H. sp.:Crab Database · Crabs · Species Hepatus epheliticus
World's greatest crab encyclopedia
The link below has a couple more of H. epheliticus and H. pudibundus (they look very different as juveniles than they do as adults):Redirect Notice
www.google.com
OP
OP
Weekend update! Added some 40 cerith snails to the tank this week, including Dwarf ceriths, Florida ceriths, and East African ceriths. All ready they are doing a great job cleaning in between the rocks and the sand bed.
In other news, our mama shrimp continues to develop her eggs. She’s looking great!
And here’s our updated full tank shot from the front of the tank. Cannot wait till I can start to glue corals in on the right hand side. These gorgonians are going to bring a beautiful balance to the macro algae that’s growing in.
In other news, our mama shrimp continues to develop her eggs. She’s looking great!
And here’s our updated full tank shot from the front of the tank. Cannot wait till I can start to glue corals in on the right hand side. These gorgonians are going to bring a beautiful balance to the macro algae that’s growing in.
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A great reminder! Thank you!
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Today is a sad day. I swear, the day we purchased Ursula (our short spine purple urchin) she seemed SO much smaller at the LFS. As soon as we got her home and in our tank, it was clear she was too big to be happy long term.
After a lot of back and forth, we decided it would be best for Ursula’s well being to return her to the LFS so that she can find herself in a larger tank.
Never did I think I would be evenly mildly emotional about returning an urchin, but here we are. These little critters sure do grow on you. So farewell, Ursula. We will remember you fondly!
After a lot of back and forth, we decided it would be best for Ursula’s well being to return her to the LFS so that she can find herself in a larger tank.
Never did I think I would be evenly mildly emotional about returning an urchin, but here we are. These little critters sure do grow on you. So farewell, Ursula. We will remember you fondly!
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I swear I spend at least an hour looking at this tank everyday, and without fail I always manage to find something new! Just today I spotted another chiton drawing around my rock work. This one is a beautiful red and orange coloration!
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Even though we returned Ursula to the LFS, we still have the rock boring urchin which joined our tank as a hitchhiker from Tampa Bay Salt Water live rock. I love this little guy. Reminds me of the Soot Sprites from the Miyazaki films.
Mhamilton0911
BitterSalty
I know nothing on the rock boring kind, but my tuxedo urchin is incredible at eating through algae. He leaves a trail of fresh rock wherever he goes. Eats all kinds of algae, including corraline, but mine grows faster than he eats so it's not a big deal. I have read that over encrusted corraline can block off and plug the available pores for the bacteria and other micro life to colonize on so it's a good balance for the urchin. I'm looking for my second urchin, hopefully will get one on Tuesday when I visit a different store.
They do still decorate themselves. I have found that once he feels hidden enough with his decorations, he'll stop trying to steal new ones. Mine will wear the 3d printed hats, but I only have a Santa hat so it's not a whole year accessory. Currently mine's wearing pulsing xenia, a corraline covered rock, and a few smaller rocks with sand. Love him. He also spawns regularly, usually after water changes.
They do still decorate themselves. I have found that once he feels hidden enough with his decorations, he'll stop trying to steal new ones. Mine will wear the 3d printed hats, but I only have a Santa hat so it's not a whole year accessory. Currently mine's wearing pulsing xenia, a corraline covered rock, and a few smaller rocks with sand. Love him. He also spawns regularly, usually after water changes.
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I wish I could get decent pictures, but I’m 99% sure that one of our peppermint shrimp is pregnant now, too. Both peppers molted within the last week, so the timing makes sense. So crazy that both our peppermint and our cleaner shrimp are pregnant at the same time!
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I just think it’s so flipping cool that this biodiversity is living in our tank. I was worried at first that a nano might not be capable of supporting a unique and diverse community of inhabitants, but geeze was I wrong!
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Little sea star, dwarf cerith, and curious copepods getting into, I can only assume, mischief. Plotting, scheming, that sort of thing.
And who else lurking in the background but our adorable hermit crab who hasn’t quite filled out his shell.
And who else lurking in the background but our adorable hermit crab who hasn’t quite filled out his shell.
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Just got huge news! Our first round of fish from Dr Reef’s quarantined fish will be shipped within the next week!
This first order will include two mocha clowns, a yellow watchman goby, and a red handed pistol shrimp. So excited!!
This first order will include two mocha clowns, a yellow watchman goby, and a red handed pistol shrimp. So excited!!
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Our little crab friend disappeared for a few days, and I was starting to worry. This afternoon he popped back out, and he has nearly doubled in size! It may be tough to discern the change in the photo, but it is remarkable.
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