Possible Gorilla Crab

Hitchikers!

I've got a 10gal that just finished cycling with 4lbs live rock, 3lbs base. Lately I've noticed a little pile of fine sediment outside of a small (maybe 1/16") hole. I haven't seen what is in it but I've seen that there is something in there everyday. I was told it could be a gorilla crab. What should I do? Trap it and try and get an ID? Both of our cameras are out of comission so no pictures. Thanks for any help you can offer!
-Cayman

 

I have no idea, but I have the same problem! A couple weeks ago I noticed something moving around under the sand, but couldn't see anything. The next morning there was quite a large pile of sediment near one of my live rocks. I have no idea what it was....

Can't wait to see where this post goes. Good luck on getting an ID!

 

Here's a idea for the both of you... WHen your lights cycle off... Wait about a hour or so the tank relaxes.. Put a small pinch of flake food in tank and break out a flash light .. And see what you can see.. If the flash light is to bright put your hand over it to fliter it down a little... Hope fully you can see your Mystery critter...

Here's a link to a bunch of common Hitchikers that may be in your tank..

Link: http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/hitchhiker.shtml


Best of Luck...

 

I have read some worms will burrow into live rock.

 

It is best to check at night with a flashlight as most inverts that hide in cracks and sand come out at night and could be dangerous. I had a stone crab that came in with some rock and he ate my hippo tang. I got him out when I upgraded tanks and he was ID'd at the fish store. They also told me that they grow big and nasty.

 

salsalito25, Thanks that's a great guide that I never would have found. I'd like to K+ but I don't know how

I think I'm going to try and trap it. I've never seen it come out at night so I'll let the trap work for me.

kcbrad, My hitchhiker is actually in a hole in a piece of LR, the sediment is just outside of it though.

 

Alright well trap was set last night and today I woke up to.... A piece of shrimp in the bottom of a shotglass. Guess I'll try again tonight. I'm learning that nothing in this hobby is set in stone.

 

good advise. try putting red saran wrap over the flash light (making red light). The critters tend to ignore red light and won't scurry away!

 

Well, I tried catching him when I rearranged the rocks, but I'm not convinced he's a gorilla crab so I'll just keep an eye on him.

In other news I'm 90% positive that my new (and totally awesome) piece of live rock is the home of a small mantis shrimp. I haven't gotten any great views of him but I shined a light in his hole which is behind some coral that was on the rock, and I saw the two unmistakable eyes, the metallic green shimmering, and the characteristic corkscrew retreat as he went back into his hole. I've got a clown in there so I'm slightly worried. Hopefully I'll be able to move him into my school tank soon so I can keep my clown safe. Should I be extremely worried since he's still small or is this an ASAP situation? How do I trap him if it does turn out to be an ASAP situation?

 

Clowns are very hardy and tough. Also 1/16" is a mighty small hole to be worrying too much right now but you still have to keep a watchful eye.