Will this crab hurt my coral?

[snailrider]

Still haven't found a solid answer. I think he may be ok here, and the other one is on the left encased by the coral.

They are small, so I cannot tell what they eat. By the reaction of the coral, I think they are made for eachother.

This little guy was removed then replaced back on the coral. In the process, this guy swam through the water sideways, fairly quick. Had no real desire to walk the bottom. Loved being on my hand once cornered.

The closest thing I find is an acro crab. Is this an acro crab? Will the two be ok on the coral? Will they bread and multiply?

The damsels seem to leave them alone.

Any info appreciated

 

[1wizz]

I'm intrigued, i love crabs and will search for an answer with you looks cool hope it's harmless..

 

[Reefscape]

The only one i have seen that is very close to this crab is the gulf weed crab..however, usually white crabs are commensural crabs


Niko

 

[1wizz]

On some of the reef.org posts they are calling this crab an Acro Crab as you have said which belongs to the Xanthidae family of which the pale smooth shell types are generally considered harmless and somewhat protective towards the coral.
Just keep your eye on it the coral will let you know in time.

 

[Reefscape]

On some of the reef.org posts they are calling this crab an Acro Crab as you have said which belongs to the Xanthidae family of which the pale smooth shell types are generally considered harmless and somewhat protective towards the coral.
Just keep your eye on it the coral will let you know in time.

That was exactly my thoughts when i first looked at the pic, but all the white ones i have seen have tan coloured legs, where as this has completely white legs which match the body colour...hmmmm...strange one

Niko

 

[1wizz]

Do you get albino crabs???? Seems to be a fun new wet pet, Enjoy

 

[snailrider]

Well I was just looking at him, and he had moved and was either grooming or eating the coral. On I will look and see if any of the branches are missing, they are either retracted or missing.

The other crab made a play and almost had a fight LOL

I am concerned, as the one clawed crab was like squeezing the coral, but not using the pincher, like a hug, then it pulled the coral tight to its underside. I am a tad worried as I know nothing about this stuff.

At night the coral extends etc, and I don't really see any damage, but being new to coral I wouldn't really know what damage would look like. If I need to catch them, I know where they are at least.

I have read that this coral is a fast grower, so with these guys being so small, maybe the coral would grow faster than they could eat. I sure hope they are the friendly kind, as they really are gems.

 

[BeelzeBob]

http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/acrocrab.htm

i dunno if its an acro crab

 

[Reefscape]

http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/acrocrab.htm

i dunno if its an acro crab

Yes it is mate, thats what i first had in mind..The description of it stopped me loking at that..

Description:
Acro Crabs, as they are commonly called, are always found within the branches of SPS corals. They are small (< 0.5" across) with a white body and a black line across the plane of the eyes giving it a bandit look.

 

[snailrider]

Neither have the black line but both are shaped like them. Did I mention they swim? I removed both. I think the one was eating a polyp. I shall leave them out for a little while and see how the coral looks tonight.

When I removed the big one, the coral did not look good around where he was. Loose fleshy material. I need to resize the recent picks and get them posted

I don't think the coral is doing well right now. I just wonder how to keep this pair of crabs while I see how the coral responds without them for a week.