Crab ID - Probably came in on TBS Liverock

[Brian916]

It is ~3". Definitely eats snails and who knows what else. Seems a bit big and less hairy than the typical Gorilla Crab? Had to tear out most of my rock to catch it.

 

[Cali Reef Life]

Kinda looks like a gorilla crab.

Gorilla Crabs - Are They Reef Tank Safe? | Reef Tank Advisor

Gorilla crabs are not reef tank safe and should be removed from your reef aquarium the second you spot one. Gorilla crabs are pests that hitchhike their way into reef aquariums, growing large, and causing havoc wherever they go.

reeftankadvisor.com

Hint they are not reef safe.

 

[Brian916]

Thanks! I am not convinced it was a gorilla crab, but based on the snail carnage, I was pretty convinced it was not reef safe.

 

[Cali Reef Life]

Will call it an Xanthoidea crab then.

" Gorilla crabs belong to the superfamily Xanthoidea. Xanthoidea is globally one of the most speciose groups with more than 760 species in 170 genera. These crabs are one of the most dominant groups of decapod crustaceans."

 

[Lavey29]

Cool little guy

 

[Brian916]

Thanks!

 

[Troylee]

@ISpeakForTheSeas

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

OP, could you get a straight-on, overhead pic of the crab (like you're looking straight down at it from above and can see the whole crab)?