Teddy Bear crab

[chromiumlux]

Well, I found another Teddy bear crab in the tank last night. The last one I saw ended up dead. Don't know how, but the one I saw last night is pretty big and it appeared to have one of my nassurius snails in its clutches trying to drag it in it's lair. I did notice the other one would place old shells/rock fragments over its opening during the day. I'd remove the makeshift door and the next day it would have another covering the hole. Are these crabs actually preditorial on corals and snails? I've read a little about them. Anyone ever ad them in their reefs and have experience with this partcular crab. I'll get a pic next time I see it out. It's tan, hairy, claws are white no black tips. I've lost a lot of snails over the past few months and now I'm beginning to wonder if this dude is the culprit.

[TechGuy40]

I found that my green Stag had its new growth eaten off of it overnight. Skeleton and all. The next day I found one of these monsters eating my pink mystery coral (some type of acro). I couldn't get him out, but I got a few of his legs and a pincher. Sadly he will be back :(

Hard to make him out in the picture.

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/5114/img0362v.jpg

[marinelife]

Maybe the old on did not die and just molted.

[chromiumlux]

Crabs Molt? I was not aware of this. Ah...there you go Eric forcing me to do more research. LOL

[marinelife]

hehe have you never seen Mr. Krabs molt on Spongebob?

[chromiumlux]

O.K. It's Crabby Cakes being served up at next meeting. HaHa

[marinelife]

I want Krabby Patties :)

[chromiumlux]

Oh yeah, I forgot. Crabby Patties. I think my kids used to watch this cartoon.

[marinelife]

It is a great cartoon.