The porcelain crab is a fun crustacean addition to your reef aquarium. They are decapod crustaceans in the widespread family Porcellanidae. Usually, they have a flattened body as an adaptation for living in rock crevices. The most important reason aquarists keep the porcelain spotted crab is because of its appearance.
It is the perfect combination of wacky and beautiful to look at. However, the actual spot pattern can vary according to the location. Below, we are discussing briefly these beautiful porcelain anemone crabs, including their keeping guide and their characteristics.
What are porcelain crabs?
The porcelain crab is also known as the broad-clawed crab. Despite a superficial resemblance to the more familiar crustaceans of the rockpool, they are not crabs. But it is more related to the strange and little-seen squat lobsters.
Usually, this crab is small in size and covered with tiny hairs. Though these crabs are all small, they have large, flattered, hairy claws and are brown. With small, beady eyes that peer out from a fuzz of hair.
In addition, their low profile is an adaptation to their preferred hangout. Moreover, these broad-clawed crabs have a pair of front arms called maxillipeds that have feather-like ends. The marine aquariums are interesting invertebrates in their peaceful temperament.
Why are they called porcelain crabs?
Due to their fragile nature, they are so-called porcelain anemone crabs. Many overzealous rockpools have tried to prise one from the surface of a rock only to have it fall to pieces in their hands. Initially, these porcelain flat crabs are closer to the rock surface, which can make them harder to grasp. While at the same time gripping on with the help of fine claws on the end of each foot.
Scientific Classification of Porcelain Crabs
- Scientific Name: Porcellanidae
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Malacostraca
- Order: Decapoda
- Suborder: Pleocyemata
Quick Overview of Porcelain Crab
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Color: Blue, Orage, Tan
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Minimum Group Size: 1
- Temperature: 75-82F
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore, Filter feeder
- Reef Compatible: Yes
- Breeding: Difficult
- Life Span: Upto 5 years
- Common Name: Porcelain Crab, Porcelain anemone crab, Porcelain spotted crab, Neopetrolisthes maculatus
Characteristics of Porcelain Crab
Habitat
Naturally, these crabs are found in temperate and tropical zones in the Indo-Pacific oceans. This means it can be found from eastern Africa to Australia and beyond. They are one of the most common crustaceans in tropical and subtropical shallow subtidal waters. Usually, the porcelain spotted crab prefers shallow, coastal reefs with fields of carpet anemones. Among many other ocean dwellers, this species maintains a symbiotic relationship with another creature.
Behavior
In general, broad-clawed crabs have a very peaceful temperament. So that they can choose to fight when someone decides to bully them out of their anemone. On the sea anemone, this crab species occurs as a male or female pair that will not tolerate their species on the same host. Most of the time, they spend daylight hours sitting in the anemone and using its fans to filter the food in the water.
Feeding
When keeping these beautiful crabs in aquariums, the most important thing that you need to know about them is that they are active filter feeders. In aquariums, they will get their share when you feed corals. It is quite interesting to watch their feed. When they are feeding, they use the fans on their mouth parts to feed on particles suspended in the water column. Usually, you can feed them mysis, brine shrimp, bloodworms, zooplankton and flakes.
Compatibility
Despite their two large claws, Neopetrolisthes maculatus are slow-moving, peaceful filter feeders. Besides, they mostly rely on the safety of their anemone for their protection. During the non-fatal territorial dispute, the most damage they do. They are fully reef-safe and have a natural symbiotic relationship with sea anemones.
Breeding
With the many advantages of this species, one downside we can see is that it is always wild-caught. Generally, neopetrolisthes maculatus species breeding has proven quite challenging. Also, we have not heard any successful breeding reports so far. The reason is that this species produces larvae that are exceedingly tiny and easy to kill. The larvae hatch by the hundreds from small eggs below her abdomen.
Aquarium
Neopetrolisthes maculatus is not too fussy about its environment. As long as the aquarium is fully cycled with no traces of ammonia, the water quality is high. You can keep a pair in an invertebrate aquarium of 10 gallons or more. You can keep a pair in an invertebrate-only aquarium from 10 gallons or up, making the porcelain anemone crab a great choice for nano tanks.
How to care for porcelain anemone crabs
As aquarium residents, broad-clawed porcelain anemone crabs are easy to care for and keep. That is why they have become pretty popular among crab enthusiasts. However, it is important to prepare for their arrival.
- Tank Size
Typically, the tank size depends on your livestock. However, the small tank of 5 gallons can be good for a pair of crabs. But you may require a 10-gallon tank. Because the bigger tank will also help to reduce fluctuations in water quality.
- Water Parameters
Though the spotted crabs are fairly adaptable to a wide range of water parameters, they have some specific water perimeters.
- The temperature should stay in the range of about 72 to 88 °F, with around 75 to 80 °F being optimal.
- The pH should be kept around 8.1 to 8.4.
- Alkalinity should be kept on 7 to 12dKH.
- Specific gravity is between 1.021 and 1.026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the porcelain anemone crab reefs safe?
Yes, they are fully reef-safe and will not damage anything in a reef tank.
Where do they live?
They prefer a rocky intertidal zone with plenty of organic matter and debris.
Who are the suitable tankmates for porcelain anemone crabs?
Usually, they will fight over anemones. Shrimps can make an interesting action, and harlequin shrimps are another option.
Conclusion
The porcelain crab does not require special care or special feeding requirements. So that beginner’s crab owners will be able to keep these species. In addition, they are special crabs and are unlike any other crab you can put in your aquarium.
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