What kind of Crab is this please???

[fish2reef]

Trying this again. I am trying to attatch a picture it didnt work the last time hope it works this time. This weird looking little guy is hard to tell that he is a crab. It looks like he has pieces of sand and shell all over him. Please help me figure out what kind of crab he is and if I should get him out of my tank?? Thanks!

 

[jdm_ae86]

Seems like a decorator crab to me..

 

[djnsocal]

That is really difficult to see. Some sort of decorator by your description??

 

[fish2reef]

wanted to add another picture that might be more helpful.....its really the same picture just not croped of the crab so its not quite as blurry. If this is a decorator crab are they OK in the tank?

 

[fish2reef]

ok will try again for some reason the picture didnt come up on last posted reply

 

[djnsocal]

If it is a decorator, then it is safe. I'm always leary about crabs anyways... I've seen peaceful/safe ones eat anything their little claws could pick at.

 

[yellowtail]

Originally posted by DJnSoCal
If it is a decorator, then it is safe.

if i am not mistaken i remember their habits of picking at coral polyps and sticking them on their back to look camoflagued.

 

[djnsocal]

Yep, they do that... but its only a polyp or two... once they get covered, they're happy

 

[fish2reef]

Thanx guys I will continue to watch him and see if he causes any problems. As far as the "SAFE" ones I noticed my peaseful emerald crab picking at my zenia that a friend gave me a week ago...now I have NONE!!

 

[stuckinfla]

Originally posted by DJnSoCal
Yep, they do that... but its only a polyp or two... once they get covered, they're happy

What happens when they molt? Do they move their decorations with them?

 

[djnsocal]

They grab whatever their little claws can grab and stick it to themselves (could be old decorations, could be new).