Crab id

[Snoogans]

Hey guys, I'm moving house next week so will have to pack the tank up and this seems like a good opportunity to review several suspicious looking crabs that seemed to have caught a ride in my LR. I have 2-3 back hairy crabs with white tipped claws that I don't like the look of. Although they don't appear to be causing me trouble at the moment, I plan to change to a reef tank and get some hermit crabs. My main concern is reef compatibility when I don't know what the crabs are? and will my improved clean up crew be safe?

Anyone know of any good sites where I could id the crabs? Have spotted them enough to pick them in a line up but have been unable to take a clear photo.

Also saw a spider crab last night. Is he safe with reef? I will mostly have mushroom corals due to my moderate lighting situation

[Snoogans]

Sorry the above should read "black hairy crabs", but their backs are still quite hairy

[Grins]

Unfortunately there are so many marine crabs that are unidentified that you may not be able to see a recorded photo of the ones you have. There is of course the line of thinking that any crab you don't introduce is unwelcome. In my own tank a black hairy crab would pretty much be evicted as soon as I could manage it.

[Snoogans]

What about the spider crab (decorative type)?

[Grins]

The Stenorhynchus sp? I'm not a fan but yes some have success with them in reefs. If it is the Xenocarcinus they will eat coral polyps.

[Snoogans]

That explains a lot. I have failed twice with zoos, as they just dissapeared and yesterday I spot this guy. He might go as well

[Snoogans]

Have heard of using a tall glass with food at the bottom as a good crab trap. Anyone had success with this?