Tiny crab living IN my acan?

[ACBlinky]

I had my nose up to the glass this evening and saw what looks like a TINY (2mm or so) crab or similar critter living in my acan -- there's a spot where the tissue doesn't grow (it's been like this forever), and I can see little feelers moving around. Anyone else seen this?

I tried to take a picture, but my camera and photography skills aren't great. I've drawn an arrow pointing to the crab (?).

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/ACBlinky/Coral/acan_Aug11_ar.jpg

On a side note... this coral was a hitchhiker, nothing but skeleton with clinging bleached flesh when I got it, and seems to have made a nice recovery. I put some more light over the tank a few days ago and it looks like the coral might be starting to develop some green colouration. I guess it doesn't mind having a little crab living inside its tissues :D

[stevedola]

i had a critter like this living in a favia i had. same deal---would pop out every so often.

[ACBlinky]

I did some research, looks like I've got a gall crab. They can damage the coral by eating it or removing it from the skeleton, but mine doesn't seem to be doing any harm so far. I think it would stress the coral far more to go digging for this tiny critter than to leave it, so I'll just keep an eye on things for now. If he hurts the coral, he'll be evicted via tweezer :)

[Al G Blenny]

Are you sure it's not a barnacle?

[DonavonsReef]

Chances are that crab has been there along time & I doubt it will get anybigger. I would leave it.

[Jon in SW Ohio]

Odd timing, last night when mine had it's feeder tentacles out, I noticed a small tan colored crab looking like a ball of detritus in mine. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed a crab digging at something. I tried and failed to gently remove it, so I'm leaving it until I get a cleaner shot at it.

Jon

[jessp]

I have the same type of crab in my acan, it has the same white coloration around the mouth as in your pic. Doesn't seem to be doing any damage other then the discoloration at the entrance to his lair. I read this and paid close attention to my acan, and i'll be darned I have the same thing on mine.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b94/vbcoach22/crablair.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

[mogley1]

I don't have a photo handy but I to have an acan with (probably) the same type crab burrowed just like yours.