Interesting hitchhiker

Unfortunately I don't have any pics this time around, but I will definitely get one up if I can.

I bought a few pounds of live rock today to put in my sump. Before putting the live rock in the sump I wanted to smash it up a bit just for better filtration. I took the largest rock there was and swung my hammer. Immediately I notice a crab scurrying across the brick work in a panic. I examined the rock and there was a hollow cavity inside the center of the rock but there is no possible way the crab crawled into that cavity at its current size. So either the crab was born in that cavity or somehow the rock formed around it. The crab itself looks a lot like an emerald crab except it doesn't have any of those hairs and it is brown instead of.. well.. emerald. The main shell is about 2 inches across, much larger then an Emerald as well.

Just thought I'd share my story because it's a first time for me. It's probably more common then you'd think. Now I just wonder if this crab will actually survive in my system.. right now he is in the sump and back inside the live rock.

 

I would leave it in the sump if you have a reef tank. I don't think it is reef compatible. A pic would be of great assistance. Also let us know the origin of the live rock if possible.

 

I will ask the LFS where the rock came from and hopefully I can get a pic as well. I'm not too worried though, worst case scenario is that it dies in my sump and adds a small amount of DOC's to my system. I never even considered putting it in my display tank. ;D

 

It will do OK in the sump if food gets down there from the DT.