ID Help (this thing is huge)

I was perusing my tank today and I noticed a claw that looked nothing like an emerald crab, which is supposed to be the only thing in my tank. I started looking closer and this thing was housed in the base of my brain. Needless to say, there is no way he is fish safe or anything else safe for that matter but....what is he? I haven't added anything in a very long time that would have given him room to hide so he's been in my tank for a while. This probably explains the disappearance of a jawfish and 3 dispar anthis. It would probably explain the big hole in my damsel's head (which has healed nicely). Crabs already give me the heebie jeebies and this guy took the cake.

 

Looks like a stone crab or rock crab to
Me. But that's just a guess

 

I found it, it's a big hairy freakin gorilla crab

 

Nope...I was wrong. Apparently he is a xanthid crab.

 

Holy s***! I can't believe that was in your tank for awhile. Good thing you found it.

 

Congrats on finding it. Banish it to your fuge or sump.

 

He is now living at the lfs. I didn't want him anywhere near by

 

I found one almost like that but mine had orange hair. Same as you I hadn't added anything for some time. Then one day bam ther it was looking at me. I left it in my tank and have never had any issues with corals or fish. But come to think of it I haven't seen it in a while. Hmmmm.

 

That thing looks freaky. Glad you got it and got rid of it. Don't blame you for not wanting it anywhere nearby. Crazy that you found him after so long.
Good find.

 

He looks like he could wreck some stuff. Dude has some big arms. At least you have answers now for odd things happening to fish.