crab id

[bigjackstud]

This will be tough i'm sure cause i have no pictures.... It was found as a hitchhiker on a piece of live rock i just bought. Looks to be dark brown and has white horizontal stripes all over it. Also antenna and a little paddle in back like a shrimp! Help! I need to know if this is reef safe or not? Not going to just toss it in! I never seen one like this myself actually....

[sir_dudeguy]

porcelain crab?
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/porcelain_crab_011404.jpg

pom pom crab?
http://www.shashin.org/guy2com/hawaii/pompom.htm

[bigjackstud]

Yup that looks like it! Mine is alot more brown though. Thanks a bunch! I guess the mistery is over...These are good for reefs right?

[sir_dudeguy]

is it the one in the picture or the link that i posted?

I'm guessing picture since that looks more like what you described to me. Crabs in general are hit or miss...they're oportunistic, meaning if they get a chance to kill something for a shell or food, they'll do it. Its in their nature. But i've also heard that porcelains arent really a true crab and that they're a lot safer than other crabs. Plus i think they're filter feeders, making them even more safe.

I was gonna buy some a while ago since i coulda got them for a buck each, but i just couldnt buy anything at the time (was too busy to pick them up :( ). And they stay really small too, so its not like they're gonnna catch any large fish...which is what i'm guessin you've got in your 150 :)

[Paintbug]

the fact that you said it has a little paddle on the back leads me to a Squat lobster, or Galatheid Crabs. heres a few examples.
http://www.dafni.com/crustacea/Galatheidae.htm

crabs are one of those must have pics to ID creatures.

[bigjackstud]

No paintbug, it's just like the one sir dudeguy sent me. Thanks so much for trying though... Yes sir dudebug, it's the one picture you sent me. not the link. I think i'll just give it to my son as he has an all fish tank and mine is a reef. I don't trust it. Like you said, I also read up on crabs awhile ago. Must have read the same thing you did. They can't be trusted....Thanks again!

[Paintbug]

porcelain crabs are about as safe as it gets. their primary source of feeding is filter feeding. they are a very interesting crab to watch.

[techigirl78]

I've kept porcelains in reef tanks with very small fish. They filter feed and are very intresting.

[sir_dudeguy]

Yes sir dudebug,

lol, thats a new one :)

[bigjackstud]

lol Ooops! My bad! lol Gave the whole name thing a twist there! I think i'll just stay clear of crabs for now to be safe. I have to many other wonderful things to check on everyday now as it is! Thanks all! Appreciate the help... (Dudebug, guy whatever!) lol

[sir_dudeguy]

:lol:

[bigjackstud]

The little sucker went and croaked anyways. Put him in the sick tank and he got sick! There's a twist! Time for a water change in the sick tank! lol Oh well, at least i didn't pay for this one! take care people!