Crab ID - Aquarium Advice

Phyl · 01-27-2005, 12:27 PM

I have a couple of super tiny crabs (so tiny that I don't think I'd get a picture of them if I tried). They look like either my red crabs and my emerald crabs except that they are white. Will they color with age? Are they more likely to be red ones or emerald ones? Any thoughts or guesses appreciated!

I also pulled a little tiny crab that looks like the red/emeralds that is black. Hmmm.

Thanks!

Bearfan · 01-27-2005, 12:47 PM

Sounds like Pthirus pubis.

Phyl · 01-27-2005, 12:52 PM

It's in my TANK!

**Fluff** · 01-27-2005, 01:50 PM

**Fluff** · 01-27-2005, 01:56 PM

The claws of the crabs will tell alot. The white ones, if they have black claw tips sounds to me like xanthid crabs. Predatory. If the claws are kinda flat, it might me a porcelain/coral crab. These crabs can be identified also by the fans they use to eat.
The black one could possibly be a type of mythrax simular to the emerald crabs. I'd keep an eye on them and remove if necessary. None pose much of a threat while they are small. [acronym:9808592872="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:9808592872]

Bearfan · 01-27-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phyl

It's in my TANK!

I suppose that would make a difference.

Phyl · 01-27-2005, 02:04 PM

I have about 12 porcelain, so I'm VERY familiar with them. I'm thinking it is one of the xanthid crabs since the claws do have black tips. The black one was easy to remove and so whatever he is he's in [acronym:2c5f3f9b52="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:2c5f3f9b52] with the other red ones I've been able to yank so far! The red ones are picking at corals so I'm on the hunt for them. I guess I'll yank the white ones too if the opportunity presents itself!

Thanks!

**Fluff** · 01-27-2005, 02:06 PM

Phyl · 01-27-2005, 02:06 PM

Quote:

I suppose that would make a difference.

And here I thought that would be assumed, based on the forum that I posted the Q in! I'll be *sure* to be more specific next time! You would have gotten a good laugh at the look on my face when I did a search for that.

Bearfan · 01-27-2005, 02:23 PM

I was wondering if anyone would search it

01-27-2005, 12:27 PM	#1
Phyl Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,107 Images: 30	Crab ID I have a couple of super tiny crabs (so tiny that I don't think I'd get a picture of them if I tried). They look like either my red crabs and my emerald crabs except that they are white. Will they color with age? Are they more likely to be red ones or emerald ones? Any thoughts or guesses appreciated! I also pulled a little tiny crab that looks like the red/emeralds that is black. Hmmm. Thanks! __________________ Phyllis Join the NJ Reef Club Today! Saving the world's reefs one living room at a time! Next meeting: Eric Borneman, Dana Riddle, & Charles Mazel on October 25, 2008

01-27-2005, 12:47 PM	#2
Bearfan Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Marquette, MI Posts: 3,554 Images: 45	Sounds like Pthirus pubis. __________________ 75 gal w/ 75 gal sump, 25 gal fuge with Chaeto and 25 gal frag - 4x65 PC w/ Moonlite on the main tank, 2x20W PC on the fuge, 4x20W PC on the frag 72 Gal Bowfront Planted w/ 2x65 PC and 40W T8

01-27-2005, 12:52 PM	#3
Phyl Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,107 Images: 30	It's in my TANK! __________________ Phyllis Join the NJ Reef Club Today! Saving the world's reefs one living room at a time! Next meeting: Eric Borneman, Dana Riddle, & Charles Mazel on October 25, 2008

01-27-2005, 01:50 PM	#4
Fluff The Keeper Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 10,136 Images: 29	__________________ ~Cindy

01-27-2005, 01:56 PM	#5
Fluff The Keeper Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 10,136 Images: 29	The claws of the crabs will tell alot. The white ones, if they have black claw tips sounds to me like xanthid crabs. Predatory. If the claws are kinda flat, it might me a porcelain/coral crab. These crabs can be identified also by the fans they use to eat. The black one could possibly be a type of mythrax simular to the emerald crabs. I'd keep an eye on them and remove if necessary. None pose much of a threat while they are small. [acronym:9808592872="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:9808592872] __________________ ~Cindy

01-27-2005, 02:04 PM	#7
Phyl Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,107 Images: 30	I have about 12 porcelain, so I'm VERY familiar with them. I'm thinking it is one of the xanthid crabs since the claws do have black tips. The black one was easy to remove and so whatever he is he's in [acronym:2c5f3f9b52="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:2c5f3f9b52] with the other red ones I've been able to yank so far! The red ones are picking at corals so I'm on the hunt for them. I guess I'll yank the white ones too if the opportunity presents itself! Thanks! __________________ Phyllis Join the NJ Reef Club Today! Saving the world's reefs one living room at a time! Next meeting: Eric Borneman, Dana Riddle, & Charles Mazel on October 25, 2008

01-27-2005, 02:06 PM	#8
Fluff The Keeper Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 10,136 Images: 29	__________________ ~Cindy

01-27-2005, 02:23 PM	#10
Bearfan Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Marquette, MI Posts: 3,554 Images: 45	I was wondering if anyone would search it __________________ 75 gal w/ 75 gal sump, 25 gal fuge with Chaeto and 25 gal frag - 4x65 PC w/ Moonlite on the main tank, 2x20W PC on the fuge, 4x20W PC on the frag 72 Gal Bowfront Planted w/ 2x65 PC and 40W T8

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