porcelain crabs

[tranceFusion]

aren't there some species of porcelain crabs that use a host anemone and some that don't? how can you tell the difference? is it considered acceptable to keep the anemone one without an anemone? thanks.

 

[sharkmatt]

As far as I know, all the Porcelain crab species are commensal with an anemone in the wild. They really need the anemone to feel safe.

 

[vorlx]

Porcelain Anemone Crab

(Neopetrolisthes ohshimai)


This is what I have. It is a great addition. They do not REQUIRE an anemone but they will host with it.

 

[sharkmatt]

I've done some reading and the Petrolisthes spp. Porcelain crabs don't live on anemones and therefore don't need one.

 

[Grins]

This is a case where common names confuse the situation. People often mix up porcelain and anemone crabs. They are both filter feeders and they are both reef safe. They are of a similiar size but they are not the same thing. I've had both:

My anemone crab ((Neopetrolisthes ohshimai):

My porcelain crab (Porcellana sayana), Ming:

 

[tranceFusion]

so is it ok to have an anemone crab without an anemone?

 

[mandy21]

I have 2 anemone crabs without an anemone and they're perfectly fine. They stay in a little crevace in a rock during the day and venture out in the evenings.

Of course, my LFS sold them to me as a unique coloring of porcelain crabs but I knew what they actually were.

 

[Grins]

Agree with Mandy, they don't need an anemone anymore than a clownfish does.

 

[vorlx]

This is a case where common names confuse the situation. People often mix up porcelain and anemone crabs. They are both filter feeders and they are both reef safe. They are of a similiar size but they are not the same thing. I've had both:

For not liking scary looking crabs, Ming sure looks creepy. =)