Catching a Xanthid Crab

[ellebelle]

A while back, I posted an ID on a little white crab that I couldn't get a good photo of. He didn't seem to be doing any damage, and I couldn't match him with any of the "bad" crabs, so I tried to catch him when I saw him, but I didn't stress out too much about it.

Well, he has gotten bigger. And he has developed little black tips on his claws. And now I have matched him with one of the Xanthid crabs - looks like the pic of the black finger xanthid crab munching on the blue starfish at wetwebmedia. (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/swcrabidfaqs.htm)

My problem is twofold - the little bugger is fast and buries himself in the sand whenever a shadow passes across the front of the tank. Secondly, he is white and blends into my substrate. My efforts at catching him thusfar have yielded nets full of sand (though the substrate in that area is very clean from being stirred up so often!)

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can catch him? Trap I could borrow? Tricks of the trade?

And, once I have him, anyone want him? Free of charge!

ADDENDUM: I have read the tips on WetWebMedia on how to catch these crabs, but because of his location and "home range", none of the suggested traps would work. He simply doesn't stray far from his hole, and spends most of his time partially buried. I've never seen him up on the LR - only on and under the subtrate. I don't think he would climb up and into a jar or bottle.

 

[deelucky]

glass jar with wieghted bait.didnt you see that on wetwebmedia?,i would give it a shot you could tie fishing line to the end of the jar to pull it up once he gets in there.and i would like hime if you take him alive:biggrin: gl

 

[deelucky]

i guess i didnt read your post to good.lol its still worth the shot of placing a small jar (baby food size) as close as possible with out spooking him.

 

[NYreefNoob]

crab

are you reffering to the red crab ? if so i have one and had it since the start of my tank, he stay's hiddem most of the time and bother's nothing. my avitar is of him

 

[Domboski]

Hi Elle,

I would try something like Dave mentioned. I have one and when I put freeze drilled krill on a stick and put it near him, he grabs the stick and the krill and won't let go until he gets the krill off the stick. Maybe you can try something like that and net him quickly before he realizes whats going on.

HTH,

Dom

 

[ellebelle]

NYReefNoob: As stated in my original post, it is a white crab with black tipped claws. I am positive that I have made a correct ID and that he is a Xanthid crab.

Dom and Dave - I'll give those a try. I see him most often when I feed pellets, maybe because the fish don't catch them all before they hit the ground.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

NYReefNoob: As stated in my original post, it is a white crab with black tipped claws. I am positive that I have made a correct ID and that he is a Xanthid crab.

Dom and Dave - I'll give those a try. I see him most often when I feed pellets, maybe because the fish don't catch them all before they hit the ground.

Did you ever catch it? If so, how did you do it? I need some advice.

Thanks.

 

[ellebelle]

NO. :sad2:

He's still living in my tank. He's freaking massive now and too wily for my traps. I will get him when I switch tanks though. mwahahaha. He will live in my fuge. :happysad:

 

[mstrofdisaster]

How big? Mine is about 3-1/2 or 4" and he is wreaking havoc. Eating all my zoos. Killing fish...

 

[ellebelle]

Oh, mine isn't that big. His body is around the size of a quarter. At that size, you should be able to net him out!

 

[Deanos]

:wow: 3.5"

ics:

 

[mstrofdisaster]

Oh yeah, I crap you negative. I am setting a trap tonight
and hopefully will have a pic tonight or tomorrow. I couldn't
get a clear picture when I spotted him. He's real big and menacing.

Anyone want him when I get him out? I hate to kill anything,
except for the bugs my wife makes me take care of. I will hold
him in QT if anyone is interested.

 

[jhale]

I'd put him in my fuge, or at that size you can sell him to a fish market

keep us posted I'm sure someone will take him and give him a home.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

I have a Nano 24g, and that small fuge in the back is probably too
small for him, honestly. Besides, I would be terrified every time
I change my filter floss that I may lose a finger to this marauder.

I will do my utmost to get him adopted, but first I need to get him
out. I'm going to try the tall glass trap method, with a weighted
piece of shrimp and see if I get him. Any other bait ideas people?

Should I use a piece of raw shrimp from a fish store or
will the supermarket pre-cooked type be just as appealing?

All comments are welcome and appreciated.

-Chris

 

[ellebelle]

I tried a scallop. But mine is still marauding, so maybe shrimp would be better. :sad2:

 

[mstrofdisaster]

Captured!

I had to take every last piece of rock out, but I got the sucker. He was about 2-1/2 inches wide.

Another reefer is adopting him tomorrow.

Thanks for the support and advice!

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I had to take every last piece of rock out, but I got the sucker. He was about 2-1/2 inches wide.

Another reefer is adopting him tomorrow.

Thanks for the support and advice!

If your adopter not showing up, my lonely crab need a companion.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

If your adopter not showing up, my lonely crab need a companion.

You're next inline for seconds. Thank you.