Bizarre crab - can't identify

[molloy]

Just got my second half of rock this weekend. By the way, it's unbelievable. Guys at the LFS can't believe it. 35 gallon package and I've got a dozen clams, sponges, green ball sponge, gargonian, barnacle......

Anyway, this crab came in the second shipment. I posted the pics in New to the Hobby and nobody knows yet. LFS doesn't either. I picked it up out the box thinking it was a spong and was very surprised when the legs started moving.

Anyone know what this thing is?

Thanks

http://www2.molloys.net:7071/pics/crab2.jpg
http://www2.molloys.net:7071/pics/crab3.jpg
http://www2.molloys.net:7071/pics/crab.jpg

[Ancient Storm]

wow ....weird...maybe its deformed...like elephant man crab?

[Mike4284m]

That looks awesome. Could it just be a decorater crab covered in sponges?

[jjmg]

My guess would be a decorater also. But it looks neat as can be.

Let us know if you find out.

[Neptune's Nemesis]

I am voting for decorater also.

[molloy]

I don't think it's a decorator crab because what's on it's back it totally part of it. In the first pic, you can see the eye on the side of it. This thing is so weird. I like elephant man crab. I can't believe I got this thing that is stumping everyone. I had it in a breeding net and put it in my tank last night. I'll find out the hard way if it's bad I guess. :) I saw it's mouth last night too. Freaky. I have to get a picture of that.

I forgot to mention the dimentions. It's about an inch and a half wide and an an inch and a half to maybe two inches long.

I'm going to have to ask some universities pretty soon.

Thanks
-Brendan

[GL]

Put the pic on the DR Ron forum and see what he says.

[Ancient Storm]

if its a new species....u get to name it !

[molloy]

The consensus is that it is a decorator crab.

Thanks for the help everyone

-Brendan


Dr. Ron thread (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=3743440#post3743440)

[liverock]

Originally posted by Mike4284m
That looks awesome. Could it just be a decorater crab covered in sponges?

Bingo!

Mary TBS

[mike4271]

Mollot, any update on your alien, saw one yesterday in local LS, they call it a sponge crab, just wondering if it was any problem with softies, thanks in advance, Mike

[mike4271]

OOOOOPs Molloy, made you a Mollet, sorry

[molloy]

Within a couple of days he started clipping my sponges, so he was kicked out. He's a the LFS where I visit him occationally :) The orange sponge is growing. It's taller on his back than it was.

They gave me a $40 credit for the crab and a mantis, but everything in there is about double normal prices.

-Brendan