ID this giant, evil crab
 

I have had my tank set up for almost 3 years now, and since day one there has been a hairy legged crab living in my live rock. After setting up a jar with an algae wafer inside of it, I finally caught him and he is massive!

His body is about 2 inches wide, with gray-ish with bright purple spots. He has light colored hairy legs and dark eyes/pinchers.

I have had several fish disappear without a trace in my tank, and I am wondering if he is the culprit. Anyways, check out the pics and let me know if you know what type of crab this is. I don't have a sump, so I will have to dispose of him some how if he is indeed evil. :twised:

Almost looks as if the evil guy has coraline growing on him! Never seen one with the purple before. A cool looking crab but likely:

evil > cool

KILL IT :twised:

it going after the Algae wafer is probably a good sign....

What a sexy looking crab.

Maybe ship it to Lance if you're uneasy doing the evil deed. I'm sure he could drop a fan in with the poor little guy. :mrgreen:

it is a emerald crab he is good but some time goes for corals

How can you tell?

Pretty much all crabs have some evil in them. It comes out when they get hungry -and he's big enough to cause some damage, for sure.

Your call. No crabs at all is certainly the safest approach. I think they're interesting creatures and many people have them in their tanks -at least until they eat something they like more :surprise:

not sure its an emerald but it does look like some kind of mithrax crab.

After doing some research, it definitely is a Mithrax Crab. However, due to his massive size, I am not taking any chances and just dropped him off at the LFS. Thanks for the help!

HAHAHAHAHA i laughed...

I know but I'm afraid Lance didn't. Lance wherever you are...I'm sympathetic to your plight but come on I HAD to.

Just got home. Sure, send the little sucker to me. I'll find someway to get rid of it: electrocution, death by skimmate or Beagle Chow. Never met a crab I liked; they are all evil!

Ouch! :twised: That is hitting below the belt a little. But revenge is sweet or so I have been told. :redface:

Lance you're not going to take that... are you? :wink:

Lance and I have an unspoken agreement. I make tasteless comments and he forgives me. At least I hope :neutral:

They can't get to me Leah. I never blow my cool; Sticks & Stones baby; like water off a duck's back; can't get my knickers in a knot; can't make me fly off the handle; can't ruffle my feathers; can't rock my boat.........
............Oh shut the frag up already!

Lance wears knickers!

Also...sorry OP =)