Crab Id?????

[l.i. geo]

Can anyone id this crab for me? Also would like to know if he would have an impact on any of my beneficial critters. He likes to bury himself in my sand bed and leave his eyes exposed, i also catch him swimming around from time to time.Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!!!!

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by L.I. GEO
Can anyone id this crab for me? Also would like to know if he would have an impact on any of my beneficial critters. He likes to bury himself in my sand bed and leave his eyes exposed, i also catch him swimming around from time to time.Any helop would be appreciated. Thank you!!!!
If I had to make a guess, I'd say Porcelain Crab, because of the little feather like "fingers" on your crab,that they use to sweep food into there mouths

 

[l.i. geo]

No its not a porcelein, its too big. The crabs back shell is about 1 1/2 inches across.
Porcaleins use little nets to catch plankton in the water column, this crab doesn't have them.

 

[rykna]

What about this one? The top of the shell looks similar.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=4

 

[l.i. geo]

NO, it has 6 flat legs for digging and swimming.

 

[renogaw]

i don't know either, but it looks and acts pretty cool. how are the pincers?

 

[l.i. geo]

thats why i'm a little concerned there not flat like algae eating crabs there pointed.He scavenges all the uneaten food in the tank. he's defintely an interesting crab

 

[renogaw]

hmm, are they big like a rock or gorilla crab, or small like a sally light foot?
the only problem i'm thinking is since it likes to bury itself, it may be a "surprise" predator...jumping out of the sand once something gets close enough, swimming up to them, and then eating them.
personally, i'd say put it in the sump if you have fish. or put it in my sump

 

[l.i. geo]

actually i just notice that one of them have tons of eggs hanging off the bottom of them.the legs included its about two inches across, i haven't seen the crab abush anything yet. it doesn't bother my snails or crabs. if you want one we can set up a trade of some kind if you were interested

 

[renogaw]

meaning you hav emore than one of these crabs?
most likely, if you do not have a huge fish or coral population, your tank will probably get overrun with these crabs. i'd DEFINITELY want one if they mature!

 

[l.i. geo]

if my tank does come over run by them, i will just give ya a few. yeah i have a pair

 

[l.i. geo]

if you really wanted one i can check my lfs for ya, i think they have a few more.

 

[l.i. geo]

anybody on the id?

 

[fish crazy]

cool crab keep us posted

 

[keri]

I'd say he's definately a type of swimming crab (look at those back legs) but I dunno what kind.

 

[l.i. geo]

yeah defintely!! i agree!! just looking for the name. anybody?

 

[tarball]

Appear to be a Portunid (family of Portunidae... "Swimming Crab" species.
The ends on all of its legs are flattened, which identifies it as some type of portunid. Are the claws under sized as far as crabs go?. If so its probably non-aggressive.
Maybe you should call it a mystery crab.

 

[rykna]

Sand Flea?

 

[l.i. geo]

no, not a sand flea, the pincers are portionable in size

 

[l.i. geo]

TARBALL, do ya know if it will wipe out my beneficial critters like stomatella copepods ampipods or snails, and etc.