clayton
Member
I recently aquired a white pulsing xenia, apparently from the red sea. Unknown to me, with it came a small crab that was hiding in its polyps.
The carapace is about 12-15mm across. The body is white in colouration and the limbs are white and semi-transparent. The carapace has 6 irregular mottled grey stripes narrowing from the head backwards. The rearmost legs are slightly paddled with small hairs around the edge.
I was not sure if the crab was harmfull to the xenia or not. On the second day I saw the crab move from the white xenia, across the tank to a piece of Bali two coloured xenia (at least I think that is what it is). Since then it has been living amongst its polyps, to my knowledge, never leaving (3 days). It has paid no attention to other corals in the tank.
I have watched it closely to see if it is feeding on the polyps but it does not seem to be. The crab seems to be feeding on something on the surface of the xenia, particularly around the polyp bases. It also seems to draw the polyps to its mouth but not eat them. I have also noticed it drawing it's pincers over the trunk of the coral and then to it's mouth. I think it may be feeding on the mucus or if not detritus that is sticking to it.
It almost looks as if it is tending the coral.
Have you ever seen or heard of this before. I am concerned as to whether this relationship is mutualy beneficial, but also fascinated by the crab.
This is a new one to me especialy as it seem specific to xenia.
Any ideas or pointers??
The carapace is about 12-15mm across. The body is white in colouration and the limbs are white and semi-transparent. The carapace has 6 irregular mottled grey stripes narrowing from the head backwards. The rearmost legs are slightly paddled with small hairs around the edge.
I was not sure if the crab was harmfull to the xenia or not. On the second day I saw the crab move from the white xenia, across the tank to a piece of Bali two coloured xenia (at least I think that is what it is). Since then it has been living amongst its polyps, to my knowledge, never leaving (3 days). It has paid no attention to other corals in the tank.
I have watched it closely to see if it is feeding on the polyps but it does not seem to be. The crab seems to be feeding on something on the surface of the xenia, particularly around the polyp bases. It also seems to draw the polyps to its mouth but not eat them. I have also noticed it drawing it's pincers over the trunk of the coral and then to it's mouth. I think it may be feeding on the mucus or if not detritus that is sticking to it.
It almost looks as if it is tending the coral.
Have you ever seen or heard of this before. I am concerned as to whether this relationship is mutualy beneficial, but also fascinated by the crab.
This is a new one to me especialy as it seem specific to xenia.
Any ideas or pointers??
