Hitchhiker crabs: Let 'em be or kill 'em?

[Beverly]

Can't ID it, but have ALWAYS removed red eyed crabs from the main tank.

[EmilyB]

Looks like a mud crab, no real claws to speak of.

[trilinearmipmap]

Thanks for the help. So what is the verdict, safe or not for my tank?

[EmilyB]

Crabs are usually opportunistic, but I still really like them.

The only crab in my reef however is a decorator crab the size of a softball. They pull up the odd zoo and polyp but nothing that is of a concern to me. It certainly is a horrific site by flashlight and I just love her.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/in...swcrabfaqs.htm

[trilinearmipmap]

Well I posted this on RC for Ron Shimek and he says it is a Xanthid crab which is very destructive. By the way he says it is a female crab.

Unfortunately I will have to execute her.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

Well I posted this on RC for Ron Shimek and he says it is a Xanthid crab which is very destructive.

This is the same Ron that told us all to use deep sand beds, right?

[EmilyB]

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

Well I posted this on RC for Ron Shimek and he says it is a Xanthid crab which is very destructive. By the way he says it is a female crab.

Unfortunately I will have to execute her.

Don't kill her, many people have sumps where she will be fine

[snaggle]

I vote give it aeay to some one for there sump

[kuatto]

I agree,give her to someone with a sump.I have at least 2 of these crabs(plus a couple other hitch hiker crabs,and shrimp)and none of them have caused any trouble.