Small hitchhiker crab

[fluked]

Got this small hitchhiker crab on a coral, its maybe 1cm at most, looks super cool, but dont want to put anything too dangerous in my tank.

Grains of sand for size reference

Any id or advice? Its just in a bucket with a heater now.

 

[RiptideAquaculture Verified Sponsor]

The rule of thumb I follow is it’s legs are hairy it’s a bad crab. That being said I also air on the side of caution and I wouldn’t put in my tank.

 

[fluked]

The rule of thumb I follow is it’s legs are hairy it’s a bad crab. That being said I also air on the side of caution and I wouldn’t put in my tank.

Yeah, thats why I've kept it out until i got an id either way,
Do you know how escape artisty crabs are? I have an acclimation box he could sit in, but if hes going to climb out it wouldn't work

 

[Mr_Knightley]

It's a Trapezia acropora crab, looks to be a baby. You can tell by how the eyes are really far apart and the body is very slender and thin. They are good guys, they eat debris that land on your coral and in turn the coral gets to eat their crap. Doesn't that sound like a healthy relationship? Haha!
But jokes aside, it's a keeper for sure.

 

[fluked]

It's a Trapezia acropora crab, looks to be a baby. You can tell by how the eyes are really far apart and the body is very slender and thin. They are good guys, they eat debris that land on your coral and in turn the coral gets to eat their crap. Doesn't that sound like a healthy relationship? Haha!
But jokes aside, it's a keeper for sure.

Oh awesome! Thanks for the advice! The tank he would be going in is a planned softy/nem tank, would he be okay without acropora?

 

[Mr_Knightley]

What coral did he come in on then? I believe there's a related species that hosts Xenia and other softies, and I think that may be what you have.

 

[fluked]

What coral did he come in on then? I believe there's a related species that hosts Xenia and other softies, and I think that may be what you have.

 

[fluked]

Came in on a capnella, which was unfortunately dead due to shipping.
Those look cool though!

 

[Mr_Knightley]

Came in on a capnella, which was unfortunately dead due to shipping.
Those look cool though!

It should still live on another softie, any leather would probably work fine. I would just let it in and let it find it's own way.

 

[fluked]

It should still live on another softie, any leather would probably work fine. I would just let it in and let it find it's own way.

Thanks, gonna put him in and hope he can stay safe from the fish :)

 

[saltybench]

The rule of thumb I follow is it’s legs are hairy it’s a bad crab. That being said I also air on the side of caution and I wouldn’t put in my tank.

I never got that “rule” aren’t emerald crabs legs hairy?