reef safe crab?

[Alexrd09]

I had a hitch hicker on my last batch of.live rock and I wanma.make sure.its coral safe before I start putting my corals back in the tank. let me know if anyone can identify the species.

 

[Flreefer]

Hard to tell with him hiding in there, but looks like a Mithrax crab. Would be fine in a reef tank. Since you probably got a better view of him, google Mithrax, and see if that's what he looks like. They are usually green, but they can be red and brown/black too.

 

[Alexrd09]

yea its green and brown. it does kinda look like a mithrax thabks for the help

 

[Mr. D]

Just keep in mind they may develop a tast for coral later on... They ate same family as emerald crabs

 

[Sniperhank]

All crabs are scavengers and opportunists. If there isn't any algae for his food your coral will be next on the menu basically. Simple enough, just keep him fed.

 

[Alexrd09]

thanks for the help guys ill try to keep him happy so he doesnt go munching on my corals!!

 

[Alexrd09]

ok so the crab seems to have grown to twice its size and i got a clearer pickture. i dunno if it is a mithrax bc is gotten so big. Its body is about 3/4 to 1 inch.

 

[Sniperhank]

That appears to be a matrix crab.

 

[Alexrd09]

ok so i discovere a second one and they are snapoing at my smalle fish. any ideas on how i can get them out wothout messing up my rock scape

 

[Crystal A]

Get a jar place it in the sand slightly tilted put a pice of shrimp or other tasty morsal, sit back relax. Hopefully they will crawl into the jar for the food. Usually once they are in they can't get out. Once caught cover with nylon and tie with elastic then take to fish store. this was how I caught my emerald who developed a taste for coral.

 

[arod-diaz]

My advice would be to pass by your brothers house and pick up your fish trap and attempt to turn that into the trap shown above. I think it's a good Idea it should work.