This crab came in with my live rock! Any idea what he is?

[Daniel@R2R]

Got this guy in with my live rock (it's from South Florida). He's burrowed under the sand and under the rock, and I've seen him digging before but never could spot him out of his home until today. Any idea what he is?

 

[TX_REEF]

@ISpeakForTheSeas for expert advice

I'm not sure myself, but he looks "hairy" which usually means not reef safe, for what it's worth

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Gorilla crab? Even if its not, it's likely not reef safe.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Well, darn. That's what I was afraid of. He's super cool. Maybe I'll rehome him to the sump...

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Well, darn. That's what I was afraid of. He's super cool. Maybe I'll rehome him to the sump...

They make great sump crabs as long as there are no wires...

 

[george9]

100% a gorilla crab based on the black tips and how hairy it is. I had one hitchhike on Gulf LR and was able to catch him in literally 10 minutes after lights out using the inverted water bottle trick.

 

[EliMelly]

100% a gorilla crab based on the black tips and how hairy it is. I had one hitchhike on Gulf LR and was able to catch him in literally 10 minutes after lights out using the inverted water bottle trick.

I had one as well but got him before I added to main tank

 

[crazyfishmom]

Gorilla crab… not fun. I still have one in my sump. Every now and then when I’m cleaning out there I think about getting rid of him. For some reason I’m super scared of him.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

@ISpeakForTheSeas for expert advice

I'm not sure myself, but he looks "hairy" which usually means not reef safe, for what it's worth

Yeah, I can't see the crab clearly enough to make a specific ID, but from what I can see, I can tell it's not reef-safe. I would guess it's a Pilumnus species (not technically gorilla crabs, but at the same time definitely gorilla crabs by hobby standards).