a craby identity issue??anyone?

aquajeep · #1 12-15-2009, 12:51 AM

can any one identify this crab.apparently ate a small blue tang and a jawfish.want to know if these accusations are true.crab on trial! looks similar to a green emerald but has devil eyes and lumpy shell with two faint whit lines.hes in my sump now awaiting release to the display tank.best pic i could get without dismantling sump.

Myka · #2 12-15-2009, 12:54 AM

How big is it? Red eyes are usually a pretty good sign that the crab is NOT reef-safe. I wouldn't put it in my reef!

There are thousands of crab species out there, and many are very similar. It's not likely you could get an accurate ID on the crab. Maybe Genus if you're lucky.

manaf · #3 12-15-2009, 02:19 AM

ate a blue tang and jaw fish?!! even if i thought one of my crabs did that i would take him out and shoot him ahah

BlueWorldAquatic · #4 12-15-2009, 02:52 AM

Red Eyes = Bad

Red Eyed Reef Crab
Eriphia smithi
Family Menippidae
Order Decapoda

This is a common aggressive crab in areas where there are large littoral rock formations. They have bright red eyes, powerful pincers and great agility. They forage during low tide for molluscs. Relatives are thought to be poisonous, and this crab should be avoided. (Shell width up to 6cm).

Maybe?

Ken - BWA

Marlin65 · #5 12-15-2009, 03:59 AM

All crabs = bad

BlueWorldAquatic · #6 12-15-2009, 04:00 AM

Emeralds & some hermits are our friends.

Ken

aquajeep · #7 12-15-2009, 04:11 AM

lol yup evil eyes like i figured.odd i searched and couldnt find anything that looked like him must be some variation of red eye reef crab.his shell looks like a pillow box duvet (big pillow shape bump pattern evenly distributed. kinda cute.guess i have a pet crab for my sump.dinner or snack for my bta if he grows big and juicy lol

aquajeep · #8 12-15-2009, 04:47 AM

thanks for the replys.i deffinatly think its a young red eye reef crab and will look more like the pictures i found when he gets older.

since you all are quick at under water identification how bout this pic. i took this pic of somthin odd i found growing in a small glacier lake very high up in the mountains.mt odin to be exact,near nakusp. what the heck is it??

aquajeep · #9 12-15-2009, 04:54 AM

oops didnt attach i guess.cross fingers again and......doh!! ok it keeps failing lamo.its neeto looks like a soft coral in groups with bright orange tips.ill try and post it under my albums.

ha it worked..had to crop it myself