Crab Hitchhicker-Emergency?

dancin_trancy · 01-10-2006, 09:21 AM

Hello all,
Well you might remember a couple of months ago I did a post to get opinions on which true crab would be a good choice for my system, the overwhelming feeling was to stay away from them all together because they are so unpredictable. So I took everyones advise and decided to pass on purchasing a crab, well I got what I wanted!

Low and behold, lastnight, over 4 months since the cycling process has been complete.....I discovered a brown true crab about 1 inches or so across, with very large claws in comparison to its body size. Im thinking its a Zanthid of some sort, tried to take pics but didnt turn out to well. Found a pic that looks somewhat like it, the closest I found, but that forum couldnt identify the species exactly.

I have hermits and snails, as well as a fireshrimp, all are okay so far, the hermits were actually next to the true crab when I noticed him. So my question is, is he okay to leave in my tank, unless he gets bigger, or should I attempt to remove him?

Because I have a 20 gallon tank, the fish Im planning on purchasing obviously are going to be somewhat small, so should I be concerned that the crab will eat them, would it be possible to make sure he is fed, to avoid him eating other tank mates?

Thanks so much for your help!!!!

He is about 1 inch across, brown with yellowish splotches...large claws with black tip and edges.

acenia · 01-10-2006, 10:42 AM

hi to me it seems like its a sally lightfoot crab http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...cfm?pCatId=625

i also have a 20 gal and i woundn't keep it in my tank it can be very agressif when mature and eat small fishes jmo

goodluck

rickzter · 01-10-2006, 12:59 PM

1 inch seems kinda big, if it get's even bigger, it will attack your fish at night. Try to lure it outside with squid and catch it. If I were you, I'd sleep better at night knowing it was out.

I, too, have a crab, but the crab is rather small to cause any harm, so I have not tried to locate and take him out. Haven't seen him in weeks.

Diver_1298 · 01-10-2006, 03:42 PM

When they get big enough to be a nuisance and a bully, they are much easier to catch. I had a gorrilla crab once that thought he owned the tank. So when he grabbed the net that I put next to some frozen food... My stone crab in my sump had a crab salad that day

Jim

acenia · 01-10-2006, 03:53 PM

im sorry it look like its definitly not a sally lightfoot crab ...but as the others said that big of a crab can be harmful to fishes smaller than him.

fletch · 01-10-2006, 04:03 PM

I would get it out of the tank, To me it doesn't look like a good guy. I have had some bad experience with hitchhiker crabs in the past, I lost several fish before getting them all out of my tank. The only crabs I'll ever have in my tank are hermits. JMO ................ John

Bruce · 01-10-2006, 06:46 PM

Im gona go and agree with fletch...unless u put a crab in the tank...(minus the nice little coral crabs) its not a good guy lol...

dancin_trancy · 01-10-2006, 07:04 PM

Ya I agree.....I just still am amazed by all the life I find in my tank...that I dont remember purchasing!

Guess I just had high hopes that it could stay!

But I would much rather get him out with no problems, than have it eat my fish later....

Ya, I think now that it might be 1/2-3/4 inch...still not real sure....but able to get some pics....not that clear though...Ill let cha know how the "crab hunt" goes! Thanks for your help everyone!!!

fletch · 01-10-2006, 07:22 PM

I did some retouching on your Crab 3 Pic. I stick by what I said He don't look like a good guy. Any body else agree of disagree??

m_lacom99 · 01-10-2006, 07:38 PM

yep, i agree get him out of the tank. Mmmmmm crab meat...