Crab ID?

[safeuerwehr]

Picked up some sweet zoa frags today and found and extra critter holding on for dear life.......Can anyone tell me what it is and if its ok to put in my reef....

Thanks
Alfred

[Instar]

I would not put that one in my reef. Keep it in the sump for a while and feed it there if you like. Small hairy crabs are often acro destructive and with claws shaped like that are often killers of things many times their size such as snails and clams. If you can find an exact species id later and it comes out ok, then you can change your mind and put it into the main tank but it does look like one of the ones not to have in there from the pics. Many of these start out peaceful scavengers and then turn into ugly gang members and wreck things later on.

[safeuerwehr]

i put him into my 55g's sump but dont plan on keeping that tank long,so would you think it would be safe in my sump/fuge? have snails and hermits in that fuge. It just looked like an interesting addition and it was free

[JimD]

Judging by the shape of its claws, Id say its eventualy going to cause problems either in your tank or in the sump. Most crabs like this are highly opportunistic and will aggressively seek out prey. Id bring him to your LFS or give him to somebody who has a trigger or a mantis,. They are cool though.

[matt]

I have an unidentified crab in my corner tank; so far it's been okay, and there's no way I'll get it out w/out tearing apart the whole reef. Unfortunately, I suspect that's exactly what I'm going to have to do some sad day.