Crab ID

[Heyoo]

I've seen this bugger off and on for a couple of years in my 90. I've tried - but so far I've been unable to catch him. I actually had him in the grips of my tongs - but he held on tight... I picked him up, and he picked up the rock he was standing on.
Can anyone ID this thing? I assume he's very un-reef-safe, bu thought I'd ask.

Anyway - on to the pics...

[Heyoo]

crab pic 2

[Heyoo]

crab pic #3

[Gecko_]

how big is it, cause it almost looks like a anemone crab

[Gecko_]

or not :0

[Gecko_]

the only thing i can think of is set google to images and put in crab or use alltheweb.com make sure you pick images it helps me alot

[Heyoo]

Originally posted by Gecko_
how big is it, cause it almost looks like a anemone crab

If you mean a porcelain crab... no way. I've got one of those - and its tiny in comparison. My mystery crab here is (including legs) about 1.5-2" in diameter, and the body (isn't it called a carapace?) is really thick, probably bordering on 1.5".

All I know is... when he's out, and sees me walk up to the tank, ZOOOOM.... he's gone.

I'll keep trying to catch him. I haven't yet set out any baited jars, but that's my next step. He's apparently too strong, too fast, and has good vision, because the tongs just aren't doing the job.
thanks

JJ

[Gecko_]

"Supercrab"!!! hmmmm been looking around for ya but you get to see him the best and some of that algae getsin the way of seeing all his claws maybe if you had a front view with claws?

[Gecko_]

this site has a large vaiety of crabs and pics listed http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/in...bs/swcrabs.htm
does it swim?or just based on the surface maybe a "harlequin crab "

hope it helps

Gecko

[Heyoo]

Originally posted by Gecko_
"Supercrab"!!! hmmmm been looking around for ya but you get to see him the best and some of that algae getsin the way of seeing all his claws maybe if you had a front view with claws?

Sorry the pics are blurry... I was actually shooting pictures from the side of my tank (which is about 10" from the wall, so I rarely scrape algae there.
If I can get more shots, I will... his claws do look rather large. I have no doubt he's a carnavore.... I've had the mysterious disappearance of two small fish (bicolor blenny) and some other goby (can't recall what kind now), but that was about a year ago. No MIA's since then.

Thanks for looking.

[aquaticsdeptleader]

you want to get rid of that one

[Gecko_]

set your traps and get it gone the longer he stays the more fish he'll consume sorry that we couldnt id