lousy pic, but it hides
claws are about an inch long color is closer to my emerald crab than brown. critter’s body is about 2inches
although its very hard to see i would have to say it resembles a Porcelain crab…have you noticed it feeding? Porcelain crabs have a distinctive method of feeding…actually, im not sure how many other crabs feed like it…but this is my :TWOCENTS
thats a porcelain…on second glance i noticed the one feeder close to the claw…im about 90% thats what it is, and your ok with this guy…see what some of the other guys/gals think…
I would also guess a porcelain crab based on the picture.
Agreed, rough image, but it does look like a porcelain crab. Are you feeding planktons for other animals? If not you might consider adding some occasionally.
“Are you feeding planktons for other animals?” john, do you mean stuff like marine snow? i occassionally feed some kents phytoplankton, some “live phytoblend” and the marine snow. if that’s it, then YES. i’m not adding anything else with plankton, though.
Sweet deal Paul, after looking at it personally and seeing pics of porcelain crabs I agree thats what it is. Didn’t know they came in other colors from the standard white w/ orange spots. He is pretty cool looking and apparently he has been surviving in your tank.
[quote=“IanH, post:7, topic:1561”]
Sweet deal Paul, after looking at it personally and seeing pics of porcelain crabs I agree thats what it is. Didn’t know they came in other colors from the standard white w/ orange spots. He is pretty cool looking and apparently he has been surviving in your tank.
http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Arthropoda/Crustacea/Malacostraca/Eumalacostraca/Eucarida/Decapoda/Anomura/Family_Porcellanidae/Petrolisthes_eriomerus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porcelain_crab[/quote]
Look at the difference in the 2 cras pictured in those 2 articles.
i think that IS what the critter is. i purchased 2 “emerald” crabs from TFP [$4.99], and one was a bit larger and had brown markings on it, but he disappeared. you found him ian.
many thanks for all the advice [ellen too]. i sure will take advantage of it!