[zec01]

I have just noticed a very hairy beige crab among my live rock!
Can anyone shed any light on what type it is, is it harmful?
I cant get a pic as it has climbed back inside a hole in the rock!

[scubadude]

Hi Zec
Welcome to reefland. With the info that you have given us it is really hard for us to come to a conclusion wether your crab is a problem, especially w/out a picture. Can you tell us some more info, like is the crab live inside a shell? Where did you get your liverock from, is it atlantic rock or pacific? There are tons of hairy crabs

Here are a few of the hairy crabs that are common in aquariums

Pilumnus Species
Porcellana Species aka Porcelain
Mithraculus Species aka Mithrax
Aniculus Species aka common hermit crabs

The Pilumnus species are very commonly refered to as hairy crabs so check them first. Most of these crabs dont pose a serious threat to most reeftanks, however all crabs are oppurtunistic and should be watched. HTH

[zec01]

Cheers, I have searched using the names you gave!
I have now found what looks like the crab and it is called pilumnus vespertilio.
Is this a problem?
Even if it is I don't think I could catch it!

[scubadude]

Originally Posted by zec01

Is this a problem?

Zec,
Do you have any zooanthids? If you do thats one of its natural foods in nature. Its kind of funny cuz some people consider this crab good eating but its toxicity which is gained from eating zooanthids has been known to poison people

[scubadude]

http://www.wildsingapore.com/chekjawa/text/c324.htm

Thats the link I read that it eats zooanthids. Apparently it eats seaweed too....and I think it might prefer seaweed. Maybe you could build a trap w/some seaweed (nori) in it?