Crab ID

[gmcallis]

Any help would be appreciated identifying this crab which came with my LR purchase.

Kinda cute in his own littl' way.

I've noticed he chages color very quickly with his immediate surroundings.

Cheers

[Monti]

Pilumnus fissifrons?

http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/crust/mov713i.html

[Sea MunnKey]

First and foremost...Welcome to AquariumPros...:bravo: !!

I would move it away as it might not be Reef safe....I wouldn't take any fuzzy hair critter like that.

Good Luck Mate....

Paul

[gmcallis]

Thanks to you both.

From another forum it looks very much like Pilumnus sayi.

The consensus of opinion is he isn't a very good addition and may have to go.

Cheers

[ajx22]

There are few crabs that are 'wanted' in a tank...as crabs are opportunistic feeders (if it's hungry, nearly anything can become a meal). Snails seem to be one of the first that start to disappear...however, smaller fish can also be at risk too.

Just a very basic rule = if it has pointed tips on it's claws; it's a predator. Another thing to look for is red eyes (normally indicates a nocturnal feeder). Add pointed-claws + red eyes = really something to worry about...as it will be hunting when the rest of the tank is having a nap, and are more at risk.

Even Emerald/Mithrix crabs which have spoon-tipped claws have been known to cause problems...despite being considered mostly reef-safe.

HTH,

[jtremblay]

Another quick word: most crabs can't be identified by pics, at all. They vary too much from juvies to adults, the colours of their shells are variable, males and females often look different, etc., etc..