Something "CRAB-LIKE in a rock

[susiepan]

My hubby and I were doing a water change on our tank, and we removed several or the larger rocks and but them in buckets with tank water in them, when we were putting one of the rocks back we noticed this black crab thing, (almost like a Sally Lightfoot), but the legs were much shorter and closer to the body..It also was VERY fast and spider like...?? Any ideas???
<img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[lerch]

Well, I am not for sure, if you can get another look at it see if its front legs curl in like a praying mantis, or if it is green and black colored, kinda of pretty like. If it look like this I am sorry, it is probably a mantis shrimp. I have never had one but I have heard many horror stories. They will kill fish and shrimp and crabs, and I have heard they can hurt people with their claws. I have even heard that big ones can crack aquarium glass, but I don't know if that is true. It may not be this, if there is any way you can show us a picture of it it would really help. If you think it is a mantis shrimp then kill the sucker quick. I have heard of people injuecting them with scalding hot water or just throwing away the piece of rock on it. I think you could probably take out the rock and place it in freshwater for a while and he might run out, wither way if your think it is a mantis then kill it and watch out for his claws. If you don't think it is a mantis then sorry for the long post.

 

[susiepan]

Lerch, it was kinda pretty and it did have another color besides black, but most of it was black-black..I did look at the thing as long as I could before it scurried back into the rock, and the thing looked more spider-like..with legs going from short to longer at the back end..but reminded me or a Sally Lightfoot in the way in moved...Still sound like a mantis?....It was not shrimp like at all,but I do have to add my yellow-headed jawfish is gone!!! and so is an anemone..
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[susiepan]

Also..how big do they get..do you know?? This thing was without legs-about thumbnail size..and the legs are fairly short..And Thanks for the info <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[predator]

I would try and run a search. There was a very imfomative link not to long ago about these little hell spawns that I got alot from.
They look wierd and are dangerous. I mean people have had to get digits amputated do to there claws. Hope this helps and hope even more it's not a mantis

 

[therock0861]

First of all not to be rude, but isn't the claws you are worried about. If it is a mantis shrimp it will have a lobster like tail. Try and get another look at it as soon as possible and then try and be a little more descriptive if you can. HTH

 

[susiepan]

Your not being "rude" at all...Any advise helps..I am worried about ANY part of this thing IF it is a Mantis...I have looked at all the photos of the different types out there and I dont think it is one...I do think it is much more crablike..I did not notice a shrimplike tail at all...and it seemed to run sideways to get away..

 

[byrself]

i doubt it's a mantis, doesn't sound like it.

 

[lerch]

If it runs sideways I would say it is some kind of crab, I don't know what kind though. I have seen some fiddle crabs that have been all black. A fiddle crab would have large claw. I guess just try to get a closer look at it. You might try to research crabs online, it might help.

 

[susiepan]

Thanks guys...I'll do that, I really think its a crab, it was a quick little sucker though...I sat last night for about two hours looking for the dang thing....I'm keeping my fingers crossed its not a mantis....

 

[joe's reefer]

post a pic