[tommye87]

I found this crab in my fiji live rock that i just bought today please help and should i get rid of it thanks in advance

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

I moved your post from the marine fish diseases forum to the Reef Aquarium Forum where I think it will get better attention.

Good luck!

[tommye87]

thanks. i plan on having coral and fish and so invertebrates so i need to know thank you o my tank is cycling its brand new 40 gallons 50 lbs live rock if that helps thanks

[zhenya]

It appears to be one of the Xanthid species of marine crabs, not reef safe for sure judging by it;s claws. I personally would remove it and put it in a separate aquarium if you like to keep it. As these grow they can become quite destructive.
Crab Hitch Hikers

Xanthidae

[tommye87]

thanks for the link how do i remove it, it is pretty small and come out very late at night?? i dont have another tank do u think the fish store would take it?

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by tommye87

thanks for the link how do i remove it, it is pretty small and come out very late at night?? i dont have another tank do u think the fish store would take it?

Hi Tommy,

Try baiting it with some food and fish trap, or some type of glass jar(clean of course ). Tilt it a bit so that when crab goes in there it won't be able to climb back out(glass is slippery... )
As far as fish stores taking it, it may and it may not. Some stores take them to feed to various fishes, like triggers, or mantis shrimp if they have any.

[tommye87]

thanks i will try the glass jar the problem is it only comes out at like 3 am ill let you know how it goes

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by tommye87

thanks i will try the glass jar the problem is it only comes out at like 3 am ill let you know how it goes

You can set your trap before going to bed and then check on it in the morning to see if the food is gone or not.
What other critters you have in the tank?

[tommye87]

Im hoping that is it. but the rocks are only a week old so i dont know if i will find nemore critters i hope not unless they are reef safe and fish safe. still have not captured it it eats my rocks i was watching it i dont know if its eating the dead algae algae or coraline algae or what so what food would i use to bait him in the trap. I currently have no food seeing as i dont have fish or anything.

[FuzzButt]

It took more than a year for the starfish to come out of the last live rock I purchased. I think half the fun and half the curse of good live rock is what your going to get that you did not expect.

[zhenya]

Tommy,

You can use any meaty type food, like store bought shrimp for example. All you need is a small piece of it. In the morning if food is still there you can remove it (so not to pollute your water) and then put fresh piece in the evening again. Make sure it is raw and not cooked shrimp.