Flower crab info needed.

[rlf_racing]

I purchased a flower crab last week and can't seem to find any info on them. I already know they are a swimming crab species, and that they are a predator as well. I would like to know any other helpful info about this crab. If anyone knows of sites or has experience with this type of crab, I will take all info I can get.

Rob

[harleychic]

Google "flower crab", Wikpedia has some info

[rlf_racing]

Well I googled flower crabs and yet again the lfs mislabeled their livestock. So I will post a couple pics of the crab to see if I can get an ID on it.
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii111/rlf_racing/100_1103-1.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii111/rlf_racing/100_1101-1.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii111/rlf_racing/100_1107-1.jpg
Well hopefully with these pictures someone might be able to give a more accurate ID on this crab.

Rob

[rlf_racing]

well anybody have an idea or a webaddress to the hitchhiker crab page?

[LeslieH]

It's Ashoret lunaris (formerly known as Matuta lunaris). The article below talks about diet & how the diet changes as the crab gets larger.

Ontogenetic changes in the natural diet of the sandy shore crab, Matuta lunaris (Forskål) (Brachyura : Calappidae)
OS Perez and DR Bellwood
Abstract
During June and July, 1984, the ontogenetic changes in the composition of the natural diet of M. lunaris from Pallarenda beach, Townsville, Australia, were investigated by analyses of foregut contents using the percentage occurrence and percentage point methods. M. lunaris was found to be a predator of small crustaceans and molluscs and a facultative scavenger. There were marked changes in the composition of its diet during ontogeny: small individuals fed primarily on small crustaceans such as sergestids and copepods; large individuals fed primarily on anomurans and gastropods. The possible influence of ontogenetic changes in chelae function upon the diet is discussed.
Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 39(2) 193 - 199

[LeslieH]

Did your LFS have a name for it besides "flower crab"?

[rlf_racing]

No that was the only name thay had for it. I have been googling different crab species and came across moon crabs that look just like it. Leslie is the crab you mentioned a moon crab species?

[RicksReefs]

if you google the former name Leslie gave up, it does appear that they're moon crabs.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Matuta%20lunaris&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

[rlf_racing]

That is what I was doing. Now I am having a hard time finding how large these crabs can get and other tank requirements. Before leslie stated their scientific name I came across moon crabs but not their true name. Now I just need to find there care requirements.
I do know it likes krill, mysis shrimp, and I will try silversides tomorrow.

[LeslieH]

Definitely moon crabs. :) Lunaris refers to the moon, Most moon crabs seem to be get to a couple of inches in size. The largest species go up to about 8.

As these guys will scavenge all the foods you mention should be just fine. Keep it well fed to be sure it doesn't go after other things.

[rlf_racing]

I feed my tank once a day. As also have a stone crab and a couple rock crabs in the tank also. Leslie is it possible to tell if this is one of the larger species or smaller species?