What the hell is this?

So, I spend at least 2 hours looking at my tank a day. This evening I noticed this large yellow emerald-like crab eye balling me from my colony. This thing is the size of a quarter.

I didn't buy so I have no idea how it dodged me for so long. :-/

I am guessing some type of acropora crab... maybe. Is it reef safe?

Casey

 

Not a color that I have seen in a commenceral crab, but that doesn't mean that it isn't. It looks to be the size and basic shape. If you see no damage to the coral, then I would bet it is. A acro crab can hide in the corals for weeks and you might never see it. The can hide very well. If you were not specifically looking for it, they are a very rare sight. It has most likely been there since you bought the coral.

 

Shows you didn't dip your coral. haha. I don't know what kind of crab it is. The color is pretty bright though.

 

To clarify, it is bright yellow and looks almost like my emerald crab but the claws look different.

 

How they heck was I suppose to dip the colony? It wouldn't fit in a bucket and was too tall for my kitchen sink.;D

You did make a good point though...

 

I was reading about acro crabs the other day, and I don't remember yellow being mentioned as a common color, but it said the dangerous crabs are usually hairy.

 

I was serious, but partially kidding. I realized it was a whole colony.

 

Its a common acro crab. We get them all of the time. They are typically yellow in color like yours or solid red. It is harmless and will help your acro stay parasite free. The hairy blue eyed crabs are the ones to worry about..
Gary

 

mabe take it out and put it in a small boul with a coral and see what it does for a while?
it is neat looking though..

 

That is a good idea. I do have a branching frag from the colony that I can test with.