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ddold

Experienced Reefer
Night before last I lost a snail, and then this morning I came down to find pieces of a hermit crab scattered around his overturned shell.

The tank is our 20g that we keep in the kitchen, with most of the livestock having been migrated over from a 10 gallon we used to have where we never noticed what now seems to be a particularly devious little crab. He is black, with yellow stripes on his body, currently less than half an inch long with pointed claws. We have only seen him once and didn't get a picture.

The only other know inhabitants are two more snails, another hermit crab, an emerald crab, a bi-color blennie and two clowns.

Any ideas what he is without seeing a photo, and if he could be responsible?

Dave
 

wade1

Advanced Reefer
Very likely is responsible... the pointed claws are a pretty good indicator that they are used for consuming shellfish. As for a specific ID, its highly unlikely since very few people actually take the time or know enough about hitchiking crabs (there are many of them).
 

ddold

Experienced Reefer
yeah, I figured as much. Too bad though ... looked like it'd be an attractive specimen when it got bigger. Thanks for the reply.
 

Mihai

Advanced Reefer
HClH2OFish":1mp1qzug said:
Instead of getting rid of him, how bout putting him in your 10gal or take him to your LFS....
Good luck with that! I tried to take my stone crab (also very attractive and equally destructive) to the LFS and they said "No way!".

M.
 

ddold

Experienced Reefer
I was actually thinking of taking him to work where I have a nano tank that is largely coral and rock now, so there'd be little for him to pursue. I might try it, and just put a shrimp on a stick in there for him to eat to see if I can keep him satiated enough to not chase the other inverts.
 

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