Mystery Crabs

[fishgardener]

This is Barbara, sneaking onto Sheryl's computer to tell you peeps that Sheryl has crabs!!! Yeah, that's right.

So the next question is: can you ID these crabs?

Big Crab, suspected of killing corals and maiming fish:

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Little Crab, suspected of no harm, but who knows? She's scared of him anyway!

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[seedless reefer]

All of them look like baddies to me.

Put them in the refugium and let them battle it out for territory.

 

[kirru]

make sure you film for us to enjoy later

 

[fishgardener]

The big one is drastically larger than the small guy. He'd be toast in no time. Besides I have a blenny in there at the moment who wouldn't like the company. Both crabs are now in separate containers in the sump so thet'll stay warm until I know what they are. The little one has been in my tank for almost a year and a half, but I just realized I had a big on in the last few weeks

Sheryle

 

[smoothie]

Give them to someone with a mantis.

 

[fishgardener]

But the question is What Are They. They are two different species, but I haven't a clue. I'm pretty sure the big guy is bad, I don't know about the small one
Sheryle

 

[jason sartain]

Make a pot of gumbo!!!!UUUMMM

 

[fishgardener]

Since no one seems to know what they are I think I might take them to Creation reef tomorrow morning and see what they have to say. I would really like to ID them. The people at Creation Reef seem pretty knowledgable so I'm hoping they can help. I'm sure not putting them back in my system!

Sheryle

 

[bobz]

Sheryle,
Check out this link. The little one looks like one of the coral commensal crabs , like <span style="font-size: 13px">Trapezia digitalis </span></em>


http://www.chucksaddiction.com/coral_crabs-1.html">http://www.chucksaddiction.com/coral_crabs-1.html</a>

The larger one looks similar to one of the Mithrax crabs

Check out this link: [IMG]http://www.chucksaddiction.com/">http://www.chucksaddiction.com/</a>

Hope that helps.
Bob

 

[fishgardener]

could the big one be a Xanthidae crab? I have had a number of coral just disappear. They were there at lights out and gone the next day. I found him yesterday right beside a decapitated feather dust when I turned the lights on. Thats when I went into commando mode and tore the tank up until we got him out. I called up Barbara for reinforcements. She came over and helped me catch him. Barb is fast with a net!

Sheryle

 

[bobz]

Sheryle,
It sure could be, in either case it's a good thing it is out of the tank!

 

[bobz]

Check out this link and look at the top row of pics, on the right.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/reefs/guamimg/crustacea/xanthidae/index.html">http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/reefs/guamimg/crustacea/xanthidae/index.html</a>

It looks like your green crab to me.
Bob

 

[fishgardener]

I think that's it too. Thanks for all the help everyone. Now I have to figure out what to do with him. Definitely not back in my system.
Sheryle

 

[fishgardener]

I found this picture on a search. It looks just like mine. There was a caption that said, "This fish is highly piosonous to eat." No Sushi tonight. I think this crab gets really big.

Sheryle

 

[fishgardener]

Well, I searched some more and found out "<span style="font-family: Arial">This crab is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore." So I guess killing it is not a good thing. But I can't get it back to Singapore either. I'd like to find it a home, but with someone who's knowledgable about this sort of thing.</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial">Sheryle</span>

 

[fishgardener]

The big crab has gone to live in Bobz tank/refugium. The little one seems to be a comenserate crad that is reef safe. It is back in the display
Sheryle

 

[bobz]

Big boy is in his new home in my refugium. He settled right in!
thanks,
BZ

 

[derek_s]

Bob, doing your part for the at risk crabs of Singapore! Good on you!

I would of took him straight to the agressive tank at SAltwater City. Mmm...

 

[fisherwoman]

fishgardener;281954 wrote: Well, I searched some more and found out "<span style="font-family: Arial">This crab is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore." So I guess killing it is not a good thing. But I can't get it back to Singapore either. I'd like to find it a home, but with someone who's knowledgable about this sort of thing.</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial">Sheryle</span>

I see Bobz took your crab. I was gonna offer to take it back to Singapore in March when I go :thumbs:

Glad you found out what they were and found a good home for the big guy.

 

[stacy22]

BobZ, Singapore thanks you!