I need a crab ID!

[sharper]

I've been watching this little thing for a couple of weeks, but never was able to see him out of my Zoa rock to get a great pic. Plus he's completely nocturnal, so I was able to catch him this morning when I turned on the lights. He was out of the Zoa rock and was up on a live rock.

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/113104/20060825/090027.jpg
He's very camoflaged. He's kind of fuzzy, and it seems like he's collected a little bit of sand or something to help camo himself. He crawls very slow and pauses many times. He was slowly creeping down the rock to the sand.

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/113104/20060825/085756.jpg

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/113104/20060825/085626.jpg
In this pic, he found a hole in the LR to hide in. So you can see his face here. See how he has collected sand in his fuzzyness

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/113104/20060825/085520.jpg
Here he continues to slowly make his way down. He gets down to the sand and then he buries himself in the sand. All I could see once he burried himself was his little eyes poking up and you can see the little rubble of sand making it's way to the Zoa Rock, where he got up back into his home.
I was amazed to see this guy at work, and would love to know more about him, his species and if he's reef-safe. I really don't want him killing anything I have.
Thanks for any info!

[ClamIAm]

Looks like a xanthid to me. If it has pointy claws, I'd say put it in a refugium or something but it could do some damage in a reef tank.

[sharper]

Thanks
But I don't have a refug. Infact, it's only a 12 gal Nano....so I guess I need to hunt him down and take him out?

[NORTHBAY(707)]

Looks like a emrald crab. I have one in My tank to clean the rocks Off.

I think those are good crabs, check the claws
if there point you don't want it in there. if there flat like spoons I'm think there good crabs.


:smokin: Later.