Little Hairy Spider?

**wwest** · 05-20-2006, 11:51 PM

OK the lights went off and i heard a gurgle so i grabbed the flash light to check my skimmer. then i shined the light on my new LR with green mushrooms and what did i see? alittle hairy spider? 8 legs little body it ran before i could get a good look at it. does anyone know what this is or what it might be? im afraid i cant get a picture it is scared of light. any idea?

fat walrus · 05-21-2006, 12:00 AM

more likely a crab i think

**wwest** · 05-21-2006, 12:07 AM

yea it came out alittle and it looks like a really small decorative crab. hope so anyways lol

fat walrus · 05-21-2006, 12:39 AM

be cautious until you positively identify it. some crabs may be destructive.

V · 05-21-2006, 08:30 AM

try a min minced fish & garlic method to make it game enough to come out during lighting time, or try a red lensed light (party light will do)or faint christmas lights that stay on, try capturing it with a webcam or long play vid camera if u have ether so u dont have to be infront of the tank. that way u can observe its general habits and determin if its the nasty sort

dreams · 05-21-2006, 09:45 AM

when we were at one of the LFS, they had this thing they called a trananchula crab.....it did look like a spider and was extremely ugly (depending on your point of veiw).....scary looking critter

Reefbaby · 05-21-2006, 05:12 PM

a general rule is that the hairy the variety, the more reef-unsafe they are. Although this doesn't apply to every crab, so it's helpful to be able to identify it.

fat walrus · 05-23-2006, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefbaby

a general rule is that the hairy the variety, the more reef-unsafe they are. Although this doesn't apply to every crab, so it's helpful to be able to identify it.

walruses have lots of hair but are reef-safe. but we have been known to eat a few crabs here and there.

kj_yoda · 05-23-2006, 09:57 AM

I have had a hairy crab in my tank for years (>4) and haven't hada problem with it. It was a hitch hiker on some rock.

Reefbaby · 05-23-2006, 05:46 PM

Well, of course, there's always the exception to the rule....I've just heard that they "can" be more "iffy" (is that a word?)

***Rob*** · 05-23-2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefbaby

they "can" be more "iffy" (is that a word?)

its a "technical term"..

as a rule of thumb, if its questionable, remove it if you can so you can get an ID on it.

kj_yoda · 05-23-2006, 07:51 PM

I completely agree. You may not be as lucky as me with your "Hairy Spider Crab"

Good luck

fat walrus · 05-23-2006, 11:34 PM

emerald crabs are used by many hobbbyists and are considered to be generally reef-safe. they are quite hairy. what a lot of reefers don't realise is that there is a brown morph of the emerald crab.

***Rob*** · 05-24-2006, 12:49 PM

walrus, are you referring to the mithrax emerald?
i have to say, i have never seen one that was "quite hairy". they do have fuzzy legs, but there main body usually has little to no fuzz.

fat walrus · 05-24-2006, 11:36 PM

yes Rob, i was trying to point out how many people panick when they see "hair"

V · 05-25-2006, 02:50 AM

thats what razors are for, so no need to panic people

***Rob*** · 05-25-2006, 01:04 PM

oh.. ok.. i see where you are going..

yes, i agree.. hairy crabs tend to lead to more panic, or at least concern..