ID Hermit Crab

[mpdharley]

I've had this guy for a while. I got him when I bought a bunch of blue legged crabs. He's obviously not a blue legged crab and since I bought him, about a year ago or so, he's gotten HUGE!

Since I didn't know how "reef safe" he is, I've always kept him in my fuge. Now, I'm just kind of curious if anyone knows what type of hermit crab he is. The shell he's in is about as big around as a 50 cent piece

http://www.mpdharley.com/pics/hermit1.jpg

http://www.mpdharley.com/pics/hermit2.jpg

http://www.mpdharley.com/pics/hermit3.jpg

http://www.mpdharley.com/pics/hermit4.jpg

[Paintbug]

Phimochirus holthuisi. im pretty sure but not a 100%. i wouldnt keep him in the display for sure.

[mpdharley]

I think you are right, thanks!

[xbambamx]

I have a couple of those, I get em from the beach.. They never bothered any of my polyps or anemones. But who knows.. hit or miss i guess

[Paintbug]

i dont think they are bad as in they will eat corals etc. but they can get big and knock over rocks, corals, etc.. but like any crab, when they are hungry the will eat whatever they can find.

[mpdharley]

Because of his size he will definitely be staying in the fuge. From another board, someone posted what I believe to be the correct ID, Clibanarius vittatus

Here's a pic by someone else of Clibanarius vittatus

http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~rtb6933/shrimp/hermit1.JPG

I think that's a winner!

[Paintbug]

could be, apparently they get real big. they according to the site that pic came from they are common in the gulf of mexico. i have herd of poeple gathering blue legs from there so it may have got mixed in with the batch while it was young. they can get upto 7" long when grown. apparently the site i got my ID is wrong as well. the Phimochirus holthuisi is called a Red Stripe Hermit. they dont look anything like what is pic'd. heres a nice little site i just found that pretty much confirms your being a Clibanarius vittatus.
http://www.gsmfc.org/seamap/picture_guide/crustaceans.htm#Hermit%20crabs

[jdieck]

That will be a nice adition for a fish only tank so your LFS may take it.

[mpdharley]

Thanks to all for your help! I'm going to keep him in my fuge for now and I was buying blue legged hermits when I got him.

When he gets a little bigger I might take him back to an LFS.