Huge red mithrax crab

[captain_jimmy]

Hi

I got what I thought was a red mithrax crab in some live rock a few months ago.

I just came back from a business trip and saw it for the first time in a while...

It's huge!!! It's probably two inches across and it's claws have gotten massive.

Is this thing safe to keep in my DT? I could maybe relocate it to the sump if I can catch it...

 

[Sharkbait19]

As long as it isn’t attacking anything I see no reason not to leave it in.

 

[captain_jimmy]

How big do they get? I read on the interwebs that they get to 1-2" and this has grown an inch in the last month and is easily 2" I'd say!

It's mind blowing how quickly it's grown.

I came home from my trip to a bunch of algae covering my rocks mad so I wonder if it has been gorging itself?

 

[Sharkbait19]

About 2-3 inches for a big one, often smaller. Definitely been eating lots of algae.

 

[Billldg]

I say leave it alone. I thought Reefcleaners sent me a Gorilla crab or something, LOL, as my Ruby Mithrax grew. I have found that they seem to grow quicker than a Emerald crab, though they are of the same Genus.

 

[captain_jimmy]

Ok cool I guess I'll leave the big fellah alone unless he harasses anything.
But if anyone that sees this has experienced red mithrax crabs being a menace please lmk.

Thanks everyone.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thats a big boy !! I never trust these things but do hear of some being model citizens

 

[Sharkbait19]

My regular emerald was a menace…I’ve read that the reds are worse on average, but if your’s has gone this long no problems, then I wouldn’t worry.

 

[hllb]

How big do they get? I read on the interwebs that they get to 1-2" and this has grown an inch in the last month and is easily 2" I'd say!

It's mind blowing how quickly it's grown.

I came home from my trip to a bunch of algae covering my rocks mad so I wonder if it has been gorging itself?

The red one I had was a beast too. They do seem to get bigger than the green ones.

 

[Sean_B]

clock is ticking

 

[captain_jimmy]

Ummmmm I'm just checking out my tank and I see a little red mithrax crab as well as this guy.

I was pretty sure I only had one so I think this might be a different crab.

Can anyone ID it and whether it's reef safe? I saw it snap at a cleaner shrimp I just added but in fairness the shrimp was kinda harrassing it with it's feelers...

 

[captain_jimmy]

Ok I managed to get it in a net and put it in the sump until I know just what it is.

I think he ripped a polyp off on of the frags in that rack and ate it. Maybe it was algae attached to the plug but I don't think so...

 

[Sharkbait19]

I’m seeing spoon claws, which usually means emerald/Mithrax crab. Might just be turning into a bad egg, my emerald did over time.

 

[hllb]

It’s definitely a mithrax. They are typically reef safe but some individuals can go rouge.

 

[captain_jimmy]

Great thanks everyone.
It's in my sump absolutely macking all the algae down there so I think it's grand for now. Perhaps I'll move it back up to the DT at some point.

Appreciate the comments cheers.

 

[hllb]

Great thanks everyone.
It's in my sump absolutely macking all the algae down there so I think it's grand for now. Perhaps I'll move it back up to the DT at some point.

Appreciate the comments cheers.

I miss mine. He randomly died one day. I actually saw him die - he just kind of fell over! I’ve been waiting to get more until my new tank was up. It’s up as of this week so I’ll probably get some new critters in the next couple of weeks

 

[captain_jimmy]

I miss mine. He randomly died one day. I actually saw him die - he just kind of fell over! I’ve been waiting to get more until my new tank was up. It’s up as of this week so I’ll probably get some new critters in the next couple of weeks

Good stuff. Shrimp are cool too.

I just got 5 new emeralds and 3 shrimp today, my clean up crew had thinned out a lot.

The tank looks so much more interesting with a bunch of invertebrates cruising around.

I kinda wanna go nuts getting more shrimp.

 

[JNalley]

I'm currently at 2 for 2 Mithrax crabs eating corals (well, not eating, but snapping off the polyps while they're closed at night) Caught one red-handed, the Zoa colony in question went from 10 heads down to just 4 in a single night, and the closed polyp heads were swaying in the sand just below the crab. The first one did the same to some firework clove polyps. So, no more mithrax crabs for me. I have a Spotted Porcelain/Anemone crab who has been a model citizen and never leaves his Carpet Nem.

 

[hllb]

Good stuff. Shrimp are cool too.

I just got 5 new emeralds and 3 shrimp today, my clean up crew had thinned out a lot.

The tank looks so much more interesting with a bunch of invertebrates cruising around.

I kinda wanna go nuts getting more shrimp.

I plan on getting some peppermint shrimp as I have some aiptasia. I love inverts. I have a fire shrimp and cleaner shrimp. Halloween hermits and a strawberry crab. I had a porcelain crab I loved but he died so I’d like to get another of those too.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Ever since my emerald died there has been a lot of bubble algae…probably gonna need another.