Unknown crab. pest or not

[pitkat]

Found this little fella in my tank. It's about 1/2 inch across mybe a bit bigger. Managed to catch him and put him into the sump tank. Any idea if it is friend or foe?
Does he deserve a life of exile

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

Crabs in general are pretty mean, in my opinion. In the past, mine killed off most of my snails (despite having plenty of extra shells in their tank) and would pick at coral. They are meat eaters, after all. I keep very few in my tank (2 at the moment, both very small), because snails and shrimp can do just about the same that crabs can in a sense of cleaning. I would advise to play it safe, and leave him in the sump, or find him a home in someone's FOWLR tank Just my $0.02.

 

[salmonslayer]

Dispose of it. Bad,Bad,Bad. Unless u have it with other killers.

 

[Chichas01]

to the sump with him!

 

[mercenary-grunt]

Crabs help alot but I belive that one is a gorrilla somthing and they get big and eat anything

Sent from my MB525 using Tapatalk

 

[pitkat]

ok guy's, thanks. To the sump with him lol

 

[senji]

rais him in the sump then eat him lol j/k

 

[jezzeaepi]

I second the others in that you don't want it in your tank. Given the shape and size of its claws, it is definitely a predator.

 

[jrgilles]

Not sure what it is, but doesn't look good. I think most hitchhiker crabs are bad news, better to play it safe.

 

[kpiotrowski]

I have very little knowledge on this subject except to say there are many benifitial crabs that host corals, protect them, and keep them clean( and poop on them and bring them food)....but I would chance it either lol.

 

[pitkat]

Got to admit, he looks very capable of causing alot of damage. For a small crab he looks huge. The claws are massive. He looks pissed off as well :O

 

[Shane and John]

Don't just kill it though. Someone out there who has a FOLR could give him a home!! He does look pretty nasty though!!

It's amazing what can HitchHike in with live rock!!!

 

[mcoomer]

Yeah, I'd drop it in the sump or fuge.

 

[fall0n]

TO THE SUMP!!! heh, as crabs typically eat debris, might be a good benificial down there. My emerald crab is massive - started off around 3/4" across and is now a good 2" or more, massive claws. I hand him pices of nori and clam periodically to keep them at bay.