2 items for I.D

[MikeB]

1. Is this crab friend or foe? Found him in the DT put him in sump for now.
2. What is this purple branch growing with my zoas?

 

[reeffreak]

Does the crab have one claw bigger then the other ?

 

[Thmh]

That looks like a pom pom crab without the anemone on its hands.

PEWPEW!

 

[reeffreak]

check this out mike

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchcrabs.html

good selection to sift threw and see if he matches.

 

[AdInfinitum]

Tough to tell from the PIC but the algae looks calcarous likely an Amphipora so.

A. Rigida or A. Fragilissima perhaps

 

[MikeB]

been researching this is a calcifying algae. not not else to be found about it. What special care is needed to grow this out? I do like the look of it.

 

[AdInfinitum]

Moderate light, lowish flow, and like coralline and other calcareous algae keep Mg levels high.

Good news...not invasive. Bad news...I've had a hard time keeping any Amphiporas going long term.  Good luck and ifit grows well for you, I would be interested in getting some.