Crab id please

[BigEasy]

I have had this Porites for several months now. They guy who sold it to me said the crab was not harmful and helped keep the polyps clean. However, now I'm worried after reading some posts. Hard to tell in the pic, but he is greenish-brown color and fuzzy. Has never left the porites, haven't actually seen him eat the polyps, but you may notice some of the tips are bare. I have not seen him out on the tips though. He mostly stay just where he is now.

What is it and do I need to get rid of it?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Anonymous]

BigEasy,
:welcome:

Those bare tips are where your coral is growing.

I say keep the crab. Likely harmless.

 

[BigEasy]

Thanks Matt. I thought that was coral growth, but began to question myself as I found this forum. I'll relax now.
Steve

 

[leroyk]

Your porities look great probably due to the crab, by all means keep it
diversity is what we all look for in our tanks, but most of us are very quick to want to destroy what we do not know or understand :roll: