Xanthid crab?

[Reefer Dan]

Been trying to catch this hitchhiker for months.. came in on my Florida live rock. Is this a xanthid crab?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Lucky you- it’s not
Looks like Mithras

 

[Reefer Dan]

Lucky you- it’s not
Looks like Mithras

Interesting, yeah with your help it looks very similar to a mithracilus forceps; however, the claws don’t seem cupped at the ends. I was pretty certain this was a predatory crab, am I off base?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Interesting, yeah with your help it looks very similar to a mithracilus forceps; however, the claws don’t seem cupped at the ends. I was pretty certain this was a predatory crab, am I off base?

Unless I bought the crab, I don’t trust anything with claws
You can always place in sump as a housekeeper

 

[DaJMasta]

I will usually move to the sump when in doubt, but I've gotta say, it looks nothing like a mithrax crab to me. Broad, flat claws like that remind me more of a porcelain crab than an emerald one, but I don't recognize that coloration as any porcelain crab.

Have you seen it eat? You could try putting it in a jar with some water (or a mesh basket in the tank) and just seeing if it goes for meaty foods or if it starts filter feeding or whatnot. May not yield an ID, but may be fascinating if you do.

 

[Reefer Dan]

I will usually move to the sump when in doubt, but I've gotta say, it looks nothing like a mithrax crab to me. Broad, flat claws like that remind me more of a porcelain crab than an emerald one, but I don't recognize that coloration as any porcelain crab.

Have you seen it eat? You could try putting it in a jar with some water (or a mesh basket in the tank) and just seeing if it goes for meaty foods or if it starts filter feeding or whatnot. May not yield an ID, but may be fascinating if you do.

I don’t think it is a porcelain crab (but it does look kinda like it), it has not been putting out any fans to catch food. This only comes out at night and super sensitive to light, and the only way I caught it was with a big piece of shrimp that it went for in the bottom of a bottle. I’ve thought about putting it in the sump, but not sure I want to keep it around.

 

[Reefing102]

I had a similar crab - https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/gulf-crab-id.895568/

I think yours is the same. I left mine in my tank. It’s been in there several months (going on a year now) and no issues with mine

 

[vetteguy53081]

Now that I am home and see this on a larger screen than my phone, its a type of tetralia coral crab

 

[damsels are not mean]

Looks cool so if it were harmless you'd think they'd be more common in the trade. I suspect it will be a delicious dinner some day...