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10-06-2003, 05:13 PM
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#1
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831mark
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 206
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Mithrax Help
I woke up this morning and found a brand new crab in my tank. It must have come in on one of the two pieces of live rock I added last week.
I couldn't get a picture (I'm going to keep trying) but here is a description. It has the exact shape of Mithrax Sculptus but is a deep purple color. I think I've ID it as Mithrax Forceps but I can't find enough data on this crab to tell whether or not it is even possible that this species could be a hitchhiker.
I know the rock I got was from Tonga or the region around it. Is this crab from there?
When I saw it, it was happily eating a small patch of hair algae so I'm not complaining yet. But, can anybody tell if this species eats things other than algae? Like coral polyps or fish?
Any help would be great.
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__________________
Mark
80gal hex (soon) (getting closer)
20gal hex currently
2x barnacle blennies, 1x ocellaris clown, LTA, cleaner shrimp, misc hermits and snails, 2x cowries, 2x branching hammer, purple frogspawn, green frogspawn, 1 large and 1 small umbrella leather, small metallic green star polyps, yellow polyps, countless mushrooms and zoes, 2x hydnophora frags 3" each, red fromia star
2 - 36watt PC 50/50
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10-06-2003, 07:21 PM
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#2
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831mark
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 206
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Here is a link to a page showing both M. forceps and M. sculptus
Brachyura
__________________
Mark
80gal hex (soon) (getting closer)
20gal hex currently
2x barnacle blennies, 1x ocellaris clown, LTA, cleaner shrimp, misc hermits and snails, 2x cowries, 2x branching hammer, purple frogspawn, green frogspawn, 1 large and 1 small umbrella leather, small metallic green star polyps, yellow polyps, countless mushrooms and zoes, 2x hydnophora frags 3" each, red fromia star
2 - 36watt PC 50/50
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10-06-2003, 10:48 PM
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#3
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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so far i am thinking no, on your id. the only references i have on M. forceps come from the Keys, N.C. and Maryland they seem to be an Atlantic species. all of the LR is collected from the Pacific.
here is some interesting data to play around with.
could you get a pic? some of the more knowledgeable could correct or confirm my guessing here.  i am not a crab guy, so this is all i could scratch together tonight.
anyhow, i would keep an eye on the little guy.
G~
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10-06-2003, 11:01 PM
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#4
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Stress Monger
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 3,186
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catch it, drop it in boiling water for 2 mintues and enjoy it with some clarified butter and a little tobasco. All crabs are oportunistic and will eat anything they can catch.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...ighlight=crabs |
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10-07-2003, 09:30 AM
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#5
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831mark
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 206
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Thanks Geoff and Chef for the response. I haven't seen it since yesterday so I think I might set a trap. At least then I can get a good picture.
__________________
Mark
80gal hex (soon) (getting closer)
20gal hex currently
2x barnacle blennies, 1x ocellaris clown, LTA, cleaner shrimp, misc hermits and snails, 2x cowries, 2x branching hammer, purple frogspawn, green frogspawn, 1 large and 1 small umbrella leather, small metallic green star polyps, yellow polyps, countless mushrooms and zoes, 2x hydnophora frags 3" each, red fromia star
2 - 36watt PC 50/50
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