Reef Discussion

[Bonazz654]

Hi,
This crab hitch-hiked on some live rock. Wanting to get an id on it and wanting to know if it is reef safe. I managed to get a photo, although part of the crab is hidden in the rock. Any help would be greatly appreciated :) Thanks.
@Dr. Schell

 

[Dr. Schell]

sorry, not mucj i can do with that pic

 

[Bonazz654]

No worries,
Do you have any techniques on how to catch it so i can get a better picture @Dr. Schell?

 

[Dr. Schell]

be patient and look at night when the lights are off

 

[Bonazz654]

Iit never comes out of the rocks at night @Dr. Schell

 

[Dr. Schell]

Iit never comes out of the rocks at night @Dr. Schell

'Never' is a very definite word!

 

[Bonazz654]

True, @Dr. Schell,but i have not yet seen it come out of the rock for the 2 weeks that i have had the rock. Is it bad if the crab has 'hairy', spotted black/white legs, a dark body and a single dark claw? I have seen the crab pick some algae off the rock and eat it; is this a good sign.

 

[Dr. Schell]

it is likely that this is one of the herbivorous reef crabs which will graze on algae. however that said, the reef crabs are nocturnal. i wouldn't be too worried about having this fellow in your tank.