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Possibly a Dardanus megistus. Probably a good idea to offer it a variety of empty shells. Chuck

Thats a very interesting looking crab, but it is most likely a member of Xanthidae and being that all crabs are omnivores, it could pose a risk to some of the life on the rocks, but being that I like the looks of it, I probably would leave it alone unless of course it begins to be a problem...

On the sand, looks to be algae/diatoms which is quite normal although we tend to see it as being unsightly. I've found that a single sea cucumber is the best solution while ensuring that nitrates and phosphates are under control, which is probably the cause of the black coating on your rocks...

I didn't see mention of a quarantine procedure. Might a disease or parasite have been introduced. Chuck

While some fish can develop a partial, and the key word here is, partial, immunity from this parasite, it will still be in your aquarium and to add another new fish would simply ensure it gets infested also. I would remove all your fish into a quarantine type tank and treat them for this...

You might also want to consider putting algae, that is going to be around regardless, to work for your system with an algae turf scrubber. As for the sandbed, I would go with as fine a calcium carbonate sand as possible, but only because silica sands tend to be too sharp and abrassive to the...

".....role do you feel the invertebrates play in the grand scheme of marine keeping?" I'm assuming "invertebrates" to mean other than corals but given that the reefs have an unbelievably huge diversity of inverts, and if one is doing their best to recreate a marine ecosystem, such inverts...

Being reef safe or not reef safe would depend on what the word "reef" means to you. For most in the hobby, "reef" is simply the corals and fish. Personaly, I would like to see others expand their view and appreciation of that one word and try to better provide for as much diversity of life as...

I was going to suggest checking your alkalinity as any large or quick difference is a common cause for urchins to start casting off their spines. But..... you've obviously figured out another cause. Sorry to hear you lost it. Chuck

Also, since most of us are not familiar with the many Genus groups, this site may be of use in narrowing down which groups to look in. http://www.nudipixel.net/genus/ Chuck

This is the best online source that I know of. http://www.seaslugforum.net/specieslist.cfm Chuck

A 12 hour reverse photo-period would be best along with some fairly intense lighting to promote photosysnthesis and growth. For more details please This Article and This one. Chuck

Its a very common "Manjano" anemone species which can in some systems, multiply quite rapidly and become a pest. A Hitch Hikers Guide to the Reefs Chuck

A good bit of it is used by the coral's zooxanthellae which in turn provides the corals with sugars for energy, the remainder is expelled (pooped) out of the mouth which serves as both an entry and an exit. Chuck

A sponge covered clam? Would need much closer/in focus details to go beyond guessing. A Hitch Hikers Guide to the Reefs Chuck

Thanks for sharing a great link! Chuck

Vermetid snails would be my guess as well. They appear to be the same species that I commonly find. http://www.chucksaddiction.com/Hitchsnails.html Chuck

The creatures that I know of as being commonly called sand fleas are an Isopod species, not something I would want in my tank and I don't believe they would survive long term in an aquarium anyways. Chuck

Such crabs are omnivores, meaning that they will consume anything that suits their fancy although coral polyps are usually safe. The "nit picking" that you see them doing on the rocks is simply their gathering bits of algae and/or small detrital particles and small sessile inverts. The loss of...

Darn, I was hoping to see a new shrimp..lol Chuck