Help with crab ID

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by verbal, Jan 10, 2004.

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  1. verbal

    verbal Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    60
    Location:
    Piermont, NY,New_York
    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.
     

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  3. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2002
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    2,825
    Location:
    SF/Monterey Bay Area, CA
    I will get back to you when I'm with my library of books later this afternoon.
     
  4. verbal

    verbal Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    60
    Location:
    Piermont, NY,New_York
    Thanks. I've put some more photos of the crab in the member gallery.
     
  5. verbal

    verbal Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    60
    Location:
    Piermont, NY,New_York
    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).
     
  6. Blueboy

    Blueboy Plankton

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    Aug 28, 2003
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    23
    Location:
    Columbus, OH,Ohio
    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.
     
  7. Blueboy

    Blueboy Plankton

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    Aug 28, 2003
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    Location:
    Columbus, OH,Ohio
    I just remembered that it used get bossy with my snowflake eel around feeding time.