Black Mithrax crab?

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by swagger87, Oct 6, 2009.

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  1. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    I wanted to get an emerald crab from my LFS today and the owner said he had just one left. He threw it in a bag and I tried to look at it, but the lights were dim in the store so I figured I'd get a better look outside. :)
    When I looked, the crab I had just bought wasn't Emerald at all, but black:-/.
    Could it be that it's just darker, or is there such a thing as a Black Mithrax?
    I have searched the internet, but I can't really find any info.
    Does any one have any info or thoughts? :confused:
     
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    #1

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  2. pgoodsell

    pgoodsell Horrid Stonefish

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    Look at its claws, are the very end of them flat. That's the best way to see if its a emerald(mithrax). If seen reddish ones, so maybe there is a black one. Most of the time they are green though.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2009
    pgoodsell, Oct 6, 2009
    pgoodsell, Oct 6, 2009
    #2
  3. LoJack

    LoJack Sea Dragon

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    search black fingered mud crab ...

    does he look like this ...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    If so ... absolutely do not put him in your tank !!!

    I had big big problems with this guy, and I'm pretty sure he's a mithrax
     
    LoJack, Oct 6, 2009
    LoJack, Oct 6, 2009
    #3
  4. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    Yeah, he looks just like an emerald mithrax (aka emerald crab) but black.
    Very similar to the one you posted Lojack. Let me look at it one more time to make sure.
     
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    #4
  5. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    #5
  6. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    It's in my Refugium right now so It won't die.
    I think I may just take it back to the LFS.
     
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
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  7. LoJack

    LoJack Sea Dragon

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    Mine was definitely a killer ... if he looks the same, I wouldn't risk it. Maybe harmless ... but its a pain to catch these buggers once they're in the live rock. It took me almost a month to finally catch this little jerk.
     
    LoJack, Oct 6, 2009
    LoJack, Oct 6, 2009
    #7
  8. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    I've searched the net and I can't find a definite answer on this crab. Some say its good, some say its bad. I have no clue what to think. It is still in the fuge so I can easily catch it to get it out.
     
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    #8
  9. Gexx

    Gexx Giant Squid

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    id leave it in the fuge. im no expert on fuges (not having one myself) but he may be able ot help clean that up while not hurting any other inhabitants. just my .02
     
    Gexx, Oct 6, 2009
    Gexx, Oct 6, 2009
    #9
  10. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    I'm a little mad that I ended up with the wrong crab. But, like you said Gexx, He could help clean up my fuge.
     
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    swagger87, Oct 6, 2009
    #10