+Grog Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Found a crab in the tank the other day. Never seen one like it before. Tried to get pics but it is shy, so I went full redneck and went fishing in my tank. Borrowed one of the wife's cake decorating tools as a sinker. (Don't want to use a lead sinker in the reef tank.) Tied a shrimp to it and lured him out for some pictures. I'm unclear about the species. I suspect it is some sort of stone crab, and a juvenile at that. It definitely eats meat. Hitchhiker on live rock from Tampa. Key points on this guy: He's chonky! Purple shell with black claw tips Black/dark purple and white horizontal stripes on the legs. Shy about 2.25" across FWIW I love this kind of stuff. Not upset that it is in my tank. Just want to know what it is. I love crabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 That last pic looks like there might be "spoons" at the tips of the claws like mithrax carbs. It is really cool stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted July 8, 2023 Author Share Posted July 8, 2023 Crab is growing. I hadn't seen him in about a week or two, so I guess he molted. Fresh colors so I think that is the case. Got good pics today. Leg stripes are changed. I have this odd suspicion that this is a juvenile rock crab and will be a big boy. Thinking this is what it is.... https://txmarspecies.tamug.edu/invertdetails.cfm?scinameID=Menippe adina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted July 9, 2023 Share Posted July 9, 2023 That's a really cool looking crab. It's left claw is definitely used for grabbing and crushing though and it's right claw doesn't have any "spoon" shape to it. Looks like your ID is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted July 9, 2023 Author Share Posted July 9, 2023 That means he needs to go.... I don't need an 8" carnivore invert in the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Dinner 😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted July 12, 2023 Author Share Posted July 12, 2023 OK this guy has to go. Just witnessed him dragging off a large snail into his lair. Kinda comical but not what I want to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 Sounds like it's time to start feeding it instead of letting it forage for dinner. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted July 13, 2023 Author Share Posted July 13, 2023 He's gone now. Broke the green galxea off of its rock. Tried to eat a fish and another snail. Done! That thing was as aggressive as a pit bull on steriods. OMG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 If you'd just fed it more you could have had crab salad for lunch 😏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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