Help, There is a monster in my tank

[Awibrandy]

The pictures are of it's sheded shell. It's in a wonton soup container for size reference.
I have no idea how it came to be in my tank. I haven't bought any LR, or dead for that matter in yearsssssssssssssss.

I believe it is beating up some of my fish, and would not be surprised if the fish that disapeared were done in by it. Currently my sailfin has chopped up dorsal fin, and my Potters Angelfish is missing it's tail.

I have tried the bottle with silversides in it, and it has not gone for it. What else can I try to get this thing out of my tank?

 

[brand]

Omg

 

[thirty6]

Geez. Watch your fingers in the tank

 

[Nandez13]

Wow. I hope someone can give you advice on how to catch it. How big is the tank?

I'd hate to have to take apart my aquascape but if something were attacking my fish, I'd just suck it up and do it. Alot easier said than done depending on size of tank and how your rocks are arranged. Good luck man

 

[rwells]

Wow following this, same here saw a decent size one in my tank the other night and haven't add no rocks to my system since it was set up several years ago. I will try the bottle thing this weekend. Hope u get him soon.

 

[troywalkerphoto]

Complete rescape! You are going to have to take all the rock out and find that beast. careful and slow make sure you have a few buckets to separate the rock so if it is clinging to a rock you can chuck it in a separate container.
Then get out th eold bay seasoning and the double boiler and crabfeast! LOL! Dont eat it! It was a joke!

 

[MIKE NY]

...a large smooth sided glass with some meaty food in it leaning against the rockwork at night...it may take a few nights, but you'll get it...caught all my night monster that way.

 

[Weicowireman]

Looks like a Sally lightfoot crab. I had one for +5 years. One of my favorites at that time. He somehow died but he didn't bother my fish or coral.

 

[MIKE NY]

That's not a Sally ..it's a rock crab and a fish/invert scavenger eater judging by those pincers claws

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

It's a night hunter and likes to dwell in dark areas of rock work and caves , I had one and I hunted it down at night time with a red light bulb and a sharp eye!!

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

Did you cook it and taste it? I mean it did take some fish with it. Minus well get your moneys worth!

 

[Awibrandy]

Thank you ALL for your advice! Much appreciated!!!

I do believe I know where it's home is. Unfortunately for me it is the bottom rocks on the right side of the 155 gallon tank. Guess I'll be taking that side apart. Hopefully I will remember how to put it back the way I have it now. I do like how it looks.

That beast has got to go, and soon. It would be quite difficult to place a glass by those rocks.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Take a few pics of the rock work before you dismantle it so you have it as a reconstruction reference .

 

[thirty6]

Leave some bait outside rocks and spear it with something h or net it when comes out
Would take so e patience to wait it out I guess but worth **** if you like the way rocks look

 

[skimmerman100]

It is a emerald crab over sized it eats algae u an tell by the cups on the end of the claws that it isn't dangerous

 

[rookie07]

It is not an emerald crab!!!!

 

[thirty6]

I thought emeralds were green in color? Never saw one that large either.

 

[jrsticks]

Try the glass thing put a few in the tank against rock work thats how i got the crabs in my tank. It did take a few nights. Good Luck

 

[Paul B]

Awilda, put one of these in there, he will scare that wimpy crab out of your tank. OK, maybe not, just build a small crab trap that looks like a lobster trap. You can use your WanTon containers. Make a hole on one side a little larger than the crab and glue in a cone or even a tube that the crab can fit through. Bait it with a piece of fish or clam. I catch crabs all the time because I throw so much stuff in my tank from the sea. Good luck

 

[peteyboyny]

Awi, what's going on...? I leave you alone for 2 seconds, and look what you've gotten yourself into! Lol.