Friend or foe of the clam??

StephenEvans · #1 06/30/2004, 10:00 PM

Today I looked at my clam at night.. and i saw a tiny translucent crab on the fleshy part of the clam (that's the mantle?)...

The picture really can't capture it..

It is small with 2 claws... very light color.. light white to translucent...

It doesn't seem to be eating it.. but is it a friend or foe?

here is a pic.. i tried to capture it..

thanx..

http://www.spymac.com/gallery/show_m...?memberid=7222

alprazo · #2 06/30/2004, 10:07 PM

I've never seen a crab like that. You should move this post to the clam forum. Personally I do not care for crabs and remove them whenever I find one. It kind of reminds me of the crabs you sometimes find when opening an oyster shell. I interested in hearing what people say - Tag.

StephenEvans · #3 06/30/2004, 10:35 PM

I did put it in the clam forum.. but no one answered.. then i moved it here!.. thanx though

Navyblue · #4 06/30/2004, 10:58 PM

Personally, no crab in my reef, not even "reef safe", hermit or anything else.

StephenEvans · #5 07/01/2004, 11:57 AM

not even an aerocrab?

Anemone · #6 07/01/2004, 12:05 PM

There are both crabs and shrimp that are commensal with clams (I think yours is one of these). You might post in Dr. Ron's forum (on Saturday, he has Thursday and Fridays off) and/or search that forum. I seem to remember some folks had pics of theirs.

FWIW,
Kevin

Peabody · #7 07/01/2004, 12:36 PM

I would bet commensal shrimp or crab. My very first clam (squamosa) had a shrimp living inside it.....it freaked me out a lot until I learned it was good!