Wild hitchhiker on Live Rock purchased!

[vangoghfish]

Bought a beautiful piece of live rock from the LPS(was from their large diplay reef tank, broke it down, to clean out the angel hair algie), and put some nice pieces in with others for sale, two days ago, and just now saw a large, about 2" black crab with nice sized pinchers, come out, to clean the bottom of my nano cube. Some white accent marks, near it joints I believe...anyone know what type it is, have never seen one like this. Aggressive? As I was about to add a pair of peaceful clowns in tomorrow, along with possibly a black-cap jawfish? HELP????

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

If you can get a pic that would be helpful.

 

[vangoghfish]

Will try, he comes out of the rock to pick the bottom, should be able to get a shot tonite or tomorrow, and will post a link.

 

[vangoghfish]

Here is a link for photos, in center of photo, in hole in rock when he comes out, will shoot more:
http://www.theholtzmangroup.com/images/crab1.jpg
http://www.theholtzmangroup.com/images/crab2.jpg
http://www.theholtzmangroup.com/images/crab2.jpg

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Looks fearful animal to me.

 

[Deanos]

Get it out.

 

[bad coffee]

Take a tall drinking glass or jar and put a piece of food in it. Put it in the tank leaning against the rock. Make sure it's a pretty steep angle.

The crab will crawl in to get the food and won't be able to crawl out.

B

 

[ReeferGoneMad]

He's gotta go. He looks cool though

 

[Potrzebie]

?

Why does he have to go? We don't even know what it is! Guilty until proven innocent?! :scratchch

 

[bad coffee]

in my tank, You betcha. A 'free' crab vs one of my clams or fish? No way. I'd catch it, id it and possibly put it in my sump.

B

 

[saltycreefer]

Check the tips of his claws, if they are rounded and flat they are designed for scraping algae and he's probably safe. We had one that looked like the one you have about 3'' across that never bothered a fish.

 

[acitydweller]

its too bad you cant return the rock to where it came from. remember, he found the rock and made it home before you brought it

 

[ReeferGoneMad]

Well for the most part he looks to be a species of gorilla crab. Which for the most part will eat whatever they get their hands on.

Also I've never had one but I heard of emerald crabs turning to the darkside before, but that black crab dude could possibly be harmless what do I know. I just hope that dude doesn't decide to go carpet surfing he still got claws lol.