View Full Version : Spider-like creature
I found a creature that looked a LOT like a spider. It had about 8 legs and walked like one. Unfortunately, I haven't seen him since the first time and I haven't gotten a pic yet.
It was the size of an eraser on a pencil.
Any possible ideas?
Telco Guy
08-03-2005, 11:40 PM
There are so many! ;) Without a picture it's really hard to say. There are a number of crabs that look like spiders. One is the Arrowhead crab. Could be a baby one of these. Check out the images >>here (http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-28,GGLG:en&q=arrowhead+crab)<< and see if this looks like it.
I'm 99 percent sure that's what I saw...Thanks a lot. Is this creature reef safe?
Telco Guy
08-03-2005, 11:47 PM
Yes. So, this was a hitch hiker? Score!!
Sure was...I got TONS of awesome hitchhikers with my sipment from LiveRocks.com...that name again? LiveRocks.com ;)
icereefer
08-04-2005, 12:16 AM
word of the wise. Arrow crabs can prey on many small animals, they can be very aggressive,does well under normal reef conditions, but do better in larger tanks over 100 gals.
it will attack other crustaceans, such as coral banded shrimp and destroy bristle worm populations which are some of your better reef scavengers.
Jim
Telco Guy
08-04-2005, 12:18 AM
ok, I stand corrected. Reef Safe* With caution. ;)
icereefer
08-04-2005, 12:23 AM
but if it is a Arrow crab he's found I wouldn't worry to much about it at this time . like you said Reef safe* with caution
Doctor_Reef
08-04-2005, 01:55 AM
Ditto's on the Arrow Crab...I have a very large one...and he will like any crab take what ever opportunity he is given to be a bad boy....but as a general rule he has been more than tolerable in my system...They are a cool crab....
I'm from Missouri and I've picked up black widows, brown recluses, copperheads, water mocassins, and once when riding horses near the Oklahoma border, a rattlesnake. Basically, nothing bothers me. However, sea spiders give me the willies and I can't explain why.
Regardless of my weird issues, please make sure that it isn't a Pycnogonid (sea spider) as they are not reef-safe. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/rs/
http://images.google.com/images?q=Pycnogonid&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
Doctor_Reef
08-04-2005, 02:19 AM
Thanks mantisfreak...now I will have nightmares about sea spiders!!!! :lol:
Good articles.... :thumbsup:
It definetly wasn't like those pics of the sea-spider. THANK GOODNESS.
Sugar Magnolia
08-04-2005, 09:41 AM
Keep an eye out with that new rock you added. You'll more than likely find one or two critters that need to be removed because they aren't reef safe. Xanthid crabs are common and need to be removed.
Agreed. I was thinking I saw a mantis but I haven't seen that object since. I know it'll be a good solid week before things come back out though.
TranZ
08-04-2005, 12:27 PM
Sugar what are Xanthid crabs? do you have pics of this crabs coz i have a crab hitchhiker on my rocks. it's orange, kind a square back, on the tip of the legs are bluesh or dark color.
Doctor_Reef
08-04-2005, 12:34 PM
That sounds like a predator crab...it is best to remove him....dark curved claws means trouble…The truth is that all crabs can be problems but gorilla, Xanthid’s are not at all reef safe!!! Here are a couple sites to check out on the crabs....
http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/guest/marineworld/Friend%20or%20Foe%208.pdf
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/swcrabidfaqs.htm
TranZ
08-04-2005, 04:15 PM
thats what i thought....if i find it again i'll remove it and put it in my fuge...it seems to hide a lot....hopefully i killed it when i re-arragne my LR.
Sugar Magnolia
08-04-2005, 05:31 PM
You know, that's exactly what happened to mine. Apparently it had just molted and when I tore the tank apart trying to find it (never did) I must have injured it. It turned up a day later in the back corner of the cube, dead, being eaten by my bi-color blenny and clean up crew.
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.