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Spotted Porcelain Crab?
- Thread starter fantom555
- Start date
Maybe someone can chime on this also about these crabs...
Since these are also anemone crabs...
I was curious if I had an anemone and a clownfish could I also have one of these crabs... Or would it be a fight to the death for hosting the anemone??
Since these are also anemone crabs...
I was curious if I had an anemone and a clownfish could I also have one of these crabs... Or would it be a fight to the death for hosting the anemone??
The Porcelain Anemone Crab (Neopetrolisthes maculosus) is a very attractive crab species that is found in the tropical waters of the Indo - western Pacific region and is a member of the crustacean family Porcellanidae. In Australia they can be found along the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland to the waters of the Solitary Islands Marine Park in northern New South Wales.
Neopetrolisthes maculosus can often be found hiding in amongst its host anemone or occasionally it can be found amongst living corals. Even though they are a common species they are considered to be shy and elusive and can be difficult to find unless a diver actively searches for them in their protective sea anemones. When they are disturbed they will hide underneath the anemone away from predators or divers with camera's trying to take a photo! Pairs of the species can be often seen living in the same anemone and quite often they will try to defend their territory from anemonefish although the anemonefish generally prevails due to its large size.
Porcelain crabs are filter feeders and they filter water with their mouthpart appendages (known as the third maxillipeds) rather than using their antennae. They gather in planktonic food using their feather like appendages. Their body colour is generally cream to brown with distinct red spots/markings on the body. Males will generally grow larger than the females and the crab is generally less than 5cm in width.
Neopetrolisthes maculosus can often be found hiding in amongst its host anemone or occasionally it can be found amongst living corals. Even though they are a common species they are considered to be shy and elusive and can be difficult to find unless a diver actively searches for them in their protective sea anemones. When they are disturbed they will hide underneath the anemone away from predators or divers with camera's trying to take a photo! Pairs of the species can be often seen living in the same anemone and quite often they will try to defend their territory from anemonefish although the anemonefish generally prevails due to its large size.
Porcelain crabs are filter feeders and they filter water with their mouthpart appendages (known as the third maxillipeds) rather than using their antennae. They gather in planktonic food using their feather like appendages. Their body colour is generally cream to brown with distinct red spots/markings on the body. Males will generally grow larger than the females and the crab is generally less than 5cm in width.
Depending on the size of the anemone.
The larger the anemone the better chances for them to live together.
In the wild they do co exist but only in large anemones where room is not an issue.
The larger the anemone the better chances for them to live together.
In the wild they do co exist but only in large anemones where room is not an issue.
Thanks Reefersnets...
fantom555 Sorry for hijacking the thread...
fantom555 Sorry for hijacking the thread...
if they fight - you can be assured that the clownfish will be the winner since the crab has not real claws (the two pincers on the front appear to be more show than anything else).
You could always just get the "regular" porcelain crabs. They do not all have to be in an anemone. I got a hoard of those crabs when I bought lr from the gulf of mexico.
You could always just get the "regular" porcelain crabs. They do not all have to be in an anemone. I got a hoard of those crabs when I bought lr from the gulf of mexico.
I have two in one med. size anemone. Very happy, fun to watch. 
They never come down to the sand or even walk on the rock. No one bothers them. I have a Blood Shrimp, Strawberry Crab and a few other crabs. I really like these guys.
Forgot - they did try to host in this plate - that didn't work out well. But I like this shot!
They never come down to the sand or even walk on the rock. No one bothers them. I have a Blood Shrimp, Strawberry Crab and a few other crabs. I really like these guys.
Forgot - they did try to host in this plate - that didn't work out well. But I like this shot!