Strange crab

[Dingodan]

Found a small 1/2" white crab hitched on the base of my green leather coral. The crab looks like an emerald crab but white and slightly shorter and hairier legs. The coral was dying but i dont know if it was because of the crab or if the crab was just eating the dead parts. I took the crab out but id like to put it back if its harmless.

 

[mr_X]

try to take a picture and post it, or see if you can find it here:
Crab Hitch Hikers

 

[Dingodan]

here is a photo of the crab

 

[mr_X]

definitely a xanthid crab- none of which are truly reef safe. it's from the first group on that link i posted.
do you have a sump you can put him in? he won't do any damage down there...

 

[Dingodan]

Ok thanks for your help

 

[AaronH]

definitely a xanthid crab- none of which are truly reef safe. it's from the first group on that link i posted.
do you have a sump you can put him in? he won't do any damage down there...

i have a xanthid crab in my live rock he hardly moves aint seen him come out of his hole a few days except mine has bright red eyes are they not good for my tank then ???

 

[melosu58]

try to take a picture and post it, or see if you can find it here:
Crab Hitch Hikers

Why Thanks Doug. I didnt have that one.

 

[mr_X]

aaron- read that link i posted. when they are small they don't seem to cause much trouble, but when they grow a bit, they tend to misbehave.

mike- follow that link back for more good stuff-
Live Rock Hitch Hikers

 

[AaronH]

He is about 1.5 inch long