hitch hiking crab
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=33812
Printed Date: September 17 2025 at 9:28pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: hitch hiking crab
Posted By: akite7
Subject: hitch hiking crab
Date Posted: June 15 2009 at 6:10pm
As a general rule I guess all of the crabs you get in your tank are bad right? I found this one in the tank last night and when I looked in the tank this morning I had coral that was knocked over and all over the bottom. Would it be from the crab or just happen to be coincidence? He was about the size of a 50 cent piece. Also I guess it would be interesting to know what kind it is if anyone knows. Thanks ------------- First SW tank started 5/18/09 150g wanna be reef. 20g refugium 40g return area with skimmer |
Replies:
Posted By: Acrid
Date Posted: June 15 2009 at 8:43pm
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It's a Porcelain crab. They are filter feeders. I have had several. They hide most of the time.
------------- 90g Reef |
Posted By: akite7
Date Posted: June 15 2009 at 8:51pm
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Ok thank you. So it is reef safe than?
------------- First SW tank started 5/18/09 150g wanna be reef. 20g refugium 40g return area with skimmer |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: June 15 2009 at 9:45pm
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Nice picture!
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: akite7
Date Posted: June 15 2009 at 10:35pm
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thanks. Doesn't compare to yours though!!!
------------- First SW tank started 5/18/09 150g wanna be reef. 20g refugium 40g return area with skimmer |
Posted By: Acrid
Date Posted: June 15 2009 at 11:26pm
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Yeah they are reef safe. If you feed stuff for filter feeds, and know where he hides, you should watch. It's hilarious watching them wave their feeders around. I miss mine. ------------- 90g Reef |
Posted By: tropi_gal
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 12:28am
| I think I have one of them too! :) I found a new crab tonight but when I went to get the camera he was already gone. Is this guy's legs the only thing that sticks out of the rock so it looks like a red and white spider legs cus the rest of him is camo'ed?? |
Posted By: akite7
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 1:17pm
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I dont know where he hides. Been trying to figure it out. Although it will be hard cuz early this morning I was looking for him with a suprise lighting of the tank and didnt see him. So as I was looking at the other stuff really quick I looked at a rock right in front of me and he was sitting there plain as day!!! But he was by my coco worm and I heard that coco worms are delicious to the crabs so I took my tong thingy to try and scare him. I got about 4 inches away and he took off so fast. Didnt see him again. Man he was quick on the rock.... ------------- First SW tank started 5/18/09 150g wanna be reef. 20g refugium 40g return area with skimmer |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 2:09pm
dont worry about them and coco worms, they are filter feeders. I have 5 or 6 of them and they are my favorite crabs. They have never harmed, knocked, or damaged any of my corals in the 3 years I have had them. ------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
akite7 wrote:Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 2:51pm
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I hate to be a fun hatere but Ive had lots of porcelsin crabs and I dont think that is one. Anything with huge claws like that is designed to catch live swimming food. Do you see little fans on it? If not, kill it and fast or it will kill your fish. ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 2:54pm
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it looks like a porcelain crab to me http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208752/product.web?gdftrk=xh23lc0p/7HDy%7Eg3JgKLc6iYC15K2DTK98Y6N3vWx1KgNLdwZKOQg1GVfkcCczI0GFEkXNRG/aKFPi2LrI2H1/7eLqZw3ovpJ0OpwyHdfee%7EDU9kQSrwKgDMmF8alB1SLhTebBqzDOa9f%7EleKEHJtjcLUbvBSwyLmXznGvDt4r5mR9Ha8HpxVDN3pcQgIRBm - http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208752/product.web?gdftrk=xh23lc0p/7HDy~g3JgKLc6iYC15K2DTK98Y6N3vWx1KgNLdwZKOQg1GVfkcCczI0GFEkXNRG/aKFPi2LrI2H1/7eLqZw3ovpJ0OpwyHdfee~DU9kQSrwKgDMmF8alB1SLhTebBqzDOa9f~leKEHJtjcLUbvBSwyLmXznGvDt4r5mR9Ha8HpxVDN3pcQgIRBm ------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: akite7
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 4:52pm
Sorry Connie but what do you mean "little fans"? If it is the two little antenna things on it they are there. In the pic you can kind of see them but I also had a piece of Chaeto sneak into the DT that was right in front of the crab to kind of camo the antennas. Chk4tix that link that you have looks just like it. I will watch it as best as I can though. Did scare me though when he was next to the coco worm looking right at it!
------------- First SW tank started 5/18/09 150g wanna be reef. 20g refugium 40g return area with skimmer |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 5:23pm
You can see the "little fans" in this picture. It is what they use to filter food from the water column. It does look like a Porcelain Crab to me but it is a kind seldom seen in the hobby around here.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 5:37pm
great picture like always Mike.....as far as the porcelain crab goes, this is the only type I have ever had. I didnt even know they came in different colors until last year. ------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 5:41pm
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Thanks Keith!
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: akite7
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 5:44pm
Man there is a lot of different stuff in this hobby!!! The one I have dosent have the fans so I will watch it if I can. Thanks for all the help!! See Mike what I was sayin about the pics!!! Nice one....
------------- First SW tank started 5/18/09 150g wanna be reef. 20g refugium 40g return area with skimmer |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: June 16 2009 at 7:25pm
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Thanks. I have some I like better but this one shows the fans off pretty well.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Acrid
Date Posted: June 17 2009 at 12:21am
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You won't really see the fans unless there is a lot of particulate food in the water. The big claws are for protection, I never saw mine use his claws once other than to try to push hermit crabs away. I can almost promise you that is a porcelain crab. And I've seen them quite a few times locally. And if you're worried, don't kill it. I'm sure someone here would love to take it from you. ------------- 90g Reef |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: June 17 2009 at 8:51am
yah if you dont want it, I will take it.   ------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: akite7
Date Posted: June 17 2009 at 12:16pm
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Man I dont even think that I could catch it if I didnt want it!!! I trust all of you guys so I will let it be. Just wished that if it is a good thing that it would come out more so that I could enjoy it. Crazy little guy spooks easily!!! Thanks ------------- First SW tank started 5/18/09 150g wanna be reef. 20g refugium 40g return area with skimmer |
Posted By: nwreef
Date Posted: July 05 2009 at 12:08pm
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mine has some pretty good sized claws, he uses them to pick up rubble and clean then off like corn on the cob almost. ------------- Chad A. 20g nano in progres Member~ A.A.A. ( Aquarium Addicts Anonomous) |