Anyone have experience with Shameface Crabs?

[K9Decoy]

Does anyone know anything about Shameface or Anemone Crabs? One of my LFSs has a few of these cool-lookin' guys for only $4-6 bucks each, and I would love to get one if I knew more about them. Thanks in advance for any advice/info!

[OrionGirl]

Shamefaced crabs get big, and can be predatory on mollucks (snails!). They are also known for being destrictive--knocking rocks over and such. They will bury themselves in the substrate--a trait that is common with lurker predators. I wouldn't keep one in less than a 75.

Anenome crabs are in the porcelain crab family, and are reef safe and stay small. There are lots of varieties of porcelains--many that are very pretty. I wouldn't get an anenome crab without an anenome, since they tend to do poorly without one.

[K9Decoy]

Thanks OrionGirl. I think I'll just stick with my Hermit Crabs for now. They seem to be better suited to the beginner. I would consider an Anemone Crab, but not till WAY later down the road when I get more into the reef scene. For now, FO is the way to go!

[OrionGirl]

Look around and see if you can find some 'regular' porcelains. They are pretty, and hardy. I get them as hitch hikers--quite a few are still around, several years later.

Another crab option--I really like my sally light foot crab. Amazing how many places this crab can get, never had a problem with it going after either fish or other inverts.

[K9Decoy]

Thanks for the advice! I'll see if any of my LFSs carry any of these critters. Unfortunately, my live rock didn't come with any freeloaders attached.

[racerX]

yeah i mean i hear everyone talk about all the hitchhikers they have on their rock and all i ever get is some feather worms. Do you get more on mail order rocks? if so where from cause the LFS has really nice cured rock, i've even been back and seen the bens they cure in but nothing is ever on my rock but coraline alge and little magenta buds that look like little potato sprouts?

[Kurt]

One thing about buying rock from the local fish store is that you can see the rocks you are purchasing. I always pick mine out of the show tanks, not the ones in the back. That way I get free snails , crabs , corals, mushroom enamones. Sometimes the store owner knows what he is giving away on the rock but sometimes not. Guess one pays a higher price per lb anyway there. Even ended up with a orange colour damsel once. Never had much for hitch hikers on my online purchases.