Crabzilla! Brutus gets bigger!

[Mr.Firemouth]

I originally found Brutus my Stone Crab in my tank as a hitchhiker from a shipment of Caribbean rock. He was so small.
Here is a pic of him in a small clam shell.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/macros/brutus2.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/macros/brutus.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/macros/brutus4.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/macros/brutus3.jpg

Now he is getting much bigger! He has molted several times successfully and now eats one 3 inch fish per day! Look at these shots...
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/brutuscondo2.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/SUPER180/brutus2.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/SUPER180/brutus1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/SUPER180/brutus3.jpg

Would you put your finger in his tank?

[gomrjoe]

that is sweet!

What type of tank do you have him in, is he by himself? Are you planning on keeping him till he gets bigger?

That is cool. Think of it, in 3 or 4 years you can crack off a claw and have a light dinner!

[salty420]

he's so cool looking! i too am curious who he is housed with..?

[Catpicklesdog]

That's one mean looking pinching machine. But sooo cute at the same time!!!

[Mr.Firemouth]

He is in the bottom tank on my frag system...
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/newfragrack.jpg

[mandy21]

Wow, freaky looking guy. I'm scared to death of crabs that can pinch me and eels.

Kinda neat though. I'd make someone else do any maintenance though. hah.

[vorlx]

I am a crab fanatic. I love it!

[Mr.Firemouth]

Wow, freaky looking guy. I'm scared to death of crabs that can pinch me and eels.

Kinda neat though. I'd make someone else do any maintenance though. hah.
I will try to upload a video this weekend of me or my daughter wrestling with him. We use a soft toothbrush. He attacks it like crazy! I don't want his big claws to have atrophy. He comes right up to the glass and waves his claws around when he sees me. He knows food is coming!

[ChangDriX]

Thats SWEET!!!!! Thats the coolest crab i've seen in an aquarium.....must have......buddy you've inspired me!!!

[buzzbombtom]

Thats SWEET!!!!! Thats the coolest crab i've seen in an aquarium.....must have......buddy you've inspired me!!!

he is a bad crab btw

[clown-lover]

Absolutely beautiful specimen.. I really appreciate the fact that you have given him his own home and did not religate him to toilet graveyard as so many do..

[Reefscape]

A stunning looking beast..

[Grins]

Happy to have an update on dear Brutus.

[FishyFry]

Very handsome! :)

[zhonk]

You should epoxy some sort of zoas frags to his shell. I don't know how you'd do it without losing a a finger, but it'd be realy cool to see.

[Mr.Firemouth]

Thanks for all the replies...
here is a video of the brute...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCbHLYHhySQ

[buzzbombtom]

bless you ;)

[mandy21]

Thanks for all the replies...
here is a video of the brute...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCbHLYHhySQ

holy moly!!!! I kinda want one now in his own tank. I'd scream little a sissy little girl the first few times it would grab a toothbrush or whatever, but he is a neat guy. Not to mention I like his name given that I am a huge Ohio State Buckeyes fan - nevermind the reason you have behind his name haha.

[Mr.Firemouth]

Love the logo Mandy! Go Buckeyes!(just for you!)
http://buckeyesportsstuff.stores.yahoo.net/ohstbuatlobr1.html

[ChangDriX]

NICE video, yeah i know it's not a fish safe crab i think im gunna build a tank for a crab like that

[cav]

I think I have one of these. Will he harm my corals or my pygmy cherub angel? I've only ever seen him late on under night lights scraping coraline of the rock

[Mr.Firemouth]

You probably have a Xanthic(black claw) crab. They are different than Stone crabs and are not harmful. Stone crabs will have hairless carpaces and huge front claws.
Here is a pic of a Xanthid...
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/liverock/crabs.jpg

[FishyFry]

Just watched the video. He's fabulous and strong too!

[mandy21]

Love the logo Mandy! Go Buckeyes!(just for you!)
http://buckeyesportsstuff.stores.yahoo.net/ohstbuatlobr1.html

Indeed. now in the National Championship game :woot:

Yay for both Brutuses.

[Mgamer20o0]

great crab