Crab ID PLEASE!!!

[ckusnierek]

I got this guy tonnight in my homeade Mantis Trap (modified coke bottle)
Any way I thought I had a mantis because I have been hearing clicking and been losing fish....

This look like to me a Xanthid crab. and I read that they burrow and actually "chip" out the live rock. (probally what I have been hearing....
any hoo here is a pic is it a Xanthid???? and could it have possibally eaten tangs???

He's in the sump for now what should I do with him???
Oh and it's about a lil larger than a quarter...

[ckusnierek]

bump
ANYONE???

[tims]

what do the pinchers look like? rounded or pointy?

[tims]

looks like
a Xanthodius denticulatus

i would keep him in the sump...

if you look in the archive section and the biweekly discusion threads we have a great idea thread with tons of different pics ( the invert thread)

[Loverotties]

I'd take no chances and put him in your sump or eat um.

[ckusnierek]

Originally Posted by tims

what do the pinchers look like? rounded or pointy?

he looks just like this but with red eyes...

(copied from: http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyu...itchcrabs.html)


TheXanthidae Crabs (link - extensive photo gallery) None of which can be considered reef safe and can be the most destructive of the crab types. While very small, they seem to pick at algae on the rocks, but just as with other crabs species, once they gain a bit of size, their ability to pick off and eat any number of invertebrates and corals also increases. They also have a bad habit of enlarging their hiding places within live rock and will, in due time, weaken the rock considerably.
Below, a commonly found Xanthid species living within live rock.

[FishDaddy]

Glad you got him out of the tank, Chris. Regardless of the exact sub-species, the Xanthids are not congenial reefmates.

Dick

[ckusnierek]

Could he have been the "clicking" I've been hearing?? From what I've read they do burrow holes in LR...

[Hardhead Cat]

Yes, I'm sure it was the crab. They are very destructive to your reef. He belongs in the sump. If you can still hear clicking, might be a hidden mantis shrimp too.

HHC