ID: white crab under curly Q anemone

[jeffbrig]

Both hitchhiked in on a batch of FL aquacultured LR about 2 months ago.

This white crab lived in a hole under the anemone, which always I found strange. The anemone relocated to a different rock yesterday, and to my surprise, the crab seems to have moved with it.

This picture shows the anemone, and the crab's legs sticking out at the bottom.


Here is a better picture of the crab, taken at night when the anemone was deflated.


I've tried some google image searches, but haven't seen anything that resembles this. Can anyone help with a crab ID?

Thanks!

[wombat2]

There are several species of Mithrax crabs (and Alpheid shrimps) that are commensal with Curly cue anemones (Bartholomea sp.). It's a fuzzy pic but that would be my best guess.

[rshimek]

Hi,

Matt, [thanks].

I concur, probably a small Mithrax pilosus, but it is hard to tell for sure.

[wombat2]

Oh, sure Ron!

I didn't realize what forum I posted in. Someone linked me here from somewhere else. Sorry to beat you to the ID while you were out of town.