Any idea what this is??

[picardoflik]

I had this as a hitch-hiker on a coral rock about 3 months ago... since then he has grown in size. I caught him today (which was quite a feat because he hides under a rock all day) and took a picture of him hoping to ID him. I had 3 zoas stalks missing and I leather mushroom coral gone since yesterday- no sign of them in the tank- I am wondering if he is the culprit.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[RockStacker]

It looks like a type of xanthid crab. I'm not 100% sure though.
I would keep it away from the display tank until you get a proper ID.

 

[picardoflik]

thanks....it's dead now so that won't be a problem

 

[Smitty]

Good thing you caught him, looks like a gorilla crab or a decorator crab. He's probably the one who killed your corals.

 

[Waddi]

+1 Smitty
Looks like a gorilla to me.

 

[yote]

There is a very good reason that looks like a Gorilla Crab,that's because it IS a Gorilla Crab.

 

[Kelz88]

i have one of those in my tiny tank, the things a beast and im starting to fear my peppermints lives.