Help with crab ID

verbal · 01-10-2004, 08:51 AM

Hey guys,
I was wondering if anyone can ID this crab. It's a hitchhiker on my Florida LR. It's about 2-3 inches across its carapace.

Gresham · 01-10-2004, 09:07 AM

I will get back to you when I'm with my library of books later this afternoon.

verbal · 01-10-2004, 09:26 AM

Thanks. I've put some more photos of the crab in the member gallery.

verbal · 01-11-2004, 04:05 AM

I did an internet search for crabs based on what this one looks like - hairy. There are indeed hairy or bristle crabs. This one seems to be in the genus Pilumnus but I can't get it down to the species level. There are very few pictures of this genus on the internet. Just wondering if they are reef safe. I haven't noticed any problems (yet).

Blueboy · 01-11-2004, 10:17 AM

I had a crab like that for a while. It wreaked havoc on my starfish. I finally witnessed him in the act of taking an arm off of my bristle star and I got rid of him. I lost two bristle stars and a linckia to him. I hope your's is better behaved.

Blueboy · 01-11-2004, 03:05 PM

I just remembered that it used get bossy with my snowflake eel around feeding time.