Ive got crabs

[Hurley6x]

Ok well, I have a crab that was given to me with the purchase of a colony of zoos that I purchased a while ago.

As it turns out this crab is not really as cool as he looks. He looks just like a larger brown version of the emerald crab.

What he is, is a hungry SOB!!!!

One day my flame angel just dis-appeared into thin "water". He wasn't doing so well so I had just assumed he had perished and was eaten by tank mates.

After determining that this wasn't related to tank conditions etc. I decided to add a coral beauty this weekend.

Magnificent looking coral beauty, probably one of the best ive seen in all the LFS i have been too.

He was not in the water for more than 5mins. I came back in the room and the crab had him in his claws. The fish was able to get away, and literally within another 5 mins the crab had him again.

I have never seen this with the other fish, but for the most part they dont stay in the rocks for most of the time. Well anyways the angelfish was able to escape again, now he has a chunk missing from his tail.

Then came the task of getting out that crab, I did not want to loose more fish.

We baited up some string with shrimp and got him to grab onto it, he wrapped himself around it and had such a strong grip on the rock (which was a the bottom of the rock pile) that he literally lifted up the rock before the bait broke. So needless to say that failed.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v372/79/93/1179540065/n1179540065_30221058_5162.jpg



By this time, all my friends are over, Boozing it up. (It was one of my friends 21st)

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v358/79/93/1179540065/n1179540065_30220052_672.jpg


Eventually the crab came up to the top of the rock stack and I was able to grab just that one rock and take it out.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v372/79/93/1179540065/n1179540065_30221060_5690.jpg


Here is the crab, anyone care to identify? I believe it is a red mithrax if im not mistaken.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v372/79/93/1179540065/n1179540065_30221061_5952.jpg


Anyone want him? I will give him away to anyone interested? At the moment he is just in a 10g quarantine. PS - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

[KarlBob]

Looks like a red mithrax to me, too. There are some people on here who really dislike crabs for this very reason. Crabs are omnivores, and sometimes they decide that ornamental fish are delicious. I've got two red mithrax, and I've never had any problem, but you never know when they might decide to try fish for dinner.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Bad crab! Do you have a sump? Toss him in there.

[eros]

I've got a red mithrax that looks just like that one. I'll be keeping an eye on him from now on.

[scubadude14]

I had a similar experience with a green mithrax and snails. Major difference is that he fell on his back, couldn't get up, and the hermit crabs got 'em.

[Hurley6x]

Yea, ive come to the conclusion this guy will eat anything. I threw some tunafish in his tank last night just to see. He loved it.

[hodagmike]

Edward 40-hands....that brings back some memories. Usually when someone says "I've got crabs" my standard response is, "they have special shampoo for that." I have a crab in one of my live rocks that I never see come out - he just pokes an arm out of a hole once in a while, but I am afraid some day he might go rouge like yours.....

[Hurley6x]

Its wierd, the tank he was in before the guy said he never came out at all, always hiding under rocks etc.

Its like he's a completely different crab. Was always out and about. Chasing fish etc.

[jprince58]

Slowly, but surely, we've been ridding ourselves of stone crabs in one of our tanks. After nearly two years, I think we're down to two or three known crabs. Fresh live rock is always fun...even after fresh water dips, cleaning, etc. Just caught one last night...made a nice bedtime snack for the mantis.

[singold]

Great thread! Sounds like an aggressive one for sure. Personally, I think crabs are cool. Except the kind like you had. I have many hermit crabs and an Emerald crab. I think they are interesting to watch, and help eat leftover fish food on sand & rocks. I spot feed my Emerald crab small pieces of dried seaweed off seaweed sheets (can buy at LFS) about once every couple of weeks. It comes up with claws waving to grab it off plastic stick I use to spot feed it. Loves it!!! I'd keep the one you caught in QT until you need tank, just to observe it in action for a while. Looks like you guys are having fun, part of this great hobby are the twists and turns!

[Lowman]

In my experience, once a mithrix crab gets as large as yours, they become unpredictable.

[Shawno]

How big is this thing?
Cuz ive been wanting a crab like my friend has in his tank. its about the same color and he also spot feeds it. comes out of the rock with his claws waving in the air cuz he knows its dinner time.
i would offer my friend a price for the crab but we dont talk much anymore... soo... i asked my LFS if any of their live rock came with crabs of any sort and they said NO WAY. in a disappointment i bought the live rock anyways cuz the LFS that sold my buddie the LR and the crab< went outta business. and there is no other local option.
but if the things not too big im down to take it off your hands.
otherwise what other crabs are available and dont get too big for a 34 gallon?

[renogaw]

hurley, if you still have the crab i'm in granby CT and can grab him from you. i have a nice sump he can live his days out in.