Porcelain crab Question?

Jep21

Jep21

Well-known member
So when i went to a lfs i saw two porcelain crabs.. was wondering are they both anemone crabs? They just look totally different and i asked around and i just dnt want to put the other one with my anemone if its not safe with it..
 
I don't know what that first pic is...but it definitely doesn't look like a porcelain crab. Doesn't look too friendly either.
 
Right from LA.com: The first one is listed as Petrolisthes galathinus "Porcelain Crab" The other is Neopetrolisthes ohshimai "Anemone porcelain crab". Both listed as reef safe and easy care. Interesting they aren't even the same genus. Only the second one will associate with a nem though.
 
i actually have the crab on the left in my biocube.. was listed as a porcelain crab when i bought and does the exact samething the anemone porcelain crab does.. but just looks way different.. just hessitant in putting him in my nem tank..
 
I have owned both kinds.

There are a few names for these.
They are both porcelain crabs. Both are completely reef safe. Both get most of their food by grabbing particles out of the water with their 'fans' instead of their claws. Claws are mostly just for defense (or offence if he wants to drive away a clownfish) or grabbing large pieces of food.
The blue/orange one on the left is usually called a spotted porcelain crab (Petrolisthes galathinus).
The white and red/brown one on the right is normally just called a porcelain anemone crab (Neopetrolisthes ohshimai).

It is very common for the porcelain anemone crabs (white one on the right) to host in anemones. I had one that went straight in my LTA. They usually pair up very nicely and you can have a pair inside your anemone. Very cool to see. Sometimes they even get along with the clownfish and you can have a pair of clowns and a pair of porcelain anemone crabs. This did not work out too well for me, my aggressive gold stripe maroons drove away the crab.

I also had 2 spotted/blue porcelain crabs. They completely left anemones alone and were in the rockrock. The spotted ones will most likely not host with the anemone (some people on forums say their spotted hosts their anemone, but I haven't seen it. They are probably confused on which they have), but it will in no way harm it or any part of your reef.

Both porcelains are one of the few completely reef safe crabs imo.
 
Greg said:
I have owned both kinds.

There are a few names for these.
They are both porcelain crabs. Both are completely reef safe. Both get most of their food by grabbing particles out of the water with their 'fans' instead of their claws. Claws are mostly just for defense (or offence if he wants to drive away a clownfish) or grabbing large pieces of food.
The blue/orange one on the left is usually called a spotted porcelain crab (Petrolisthes galathinus).
The white and red/brown one on the right is normally just called a porcelain anemone crab (Neopetrolisthes ohshimai).

It is very common for the porcelain anemone crabs (white one on the right) to host in anemones. I had one that went straight in my LTA. They usually pair up very nicely and you can have a pair inside your anemone. Very cool to see. Sometimes they even get along with the clownfish and you can have a pair of clowns and a pair of porcelain anemone crabs. This did not work out too well for me, my aggressive gold stripe maroons drove away the crab.

I also had 2 spotted/blue porcelain crabs. They completely left anemones alone and were in the rockrock. The spotted ones will most likely not host with the anemone, but it will in no way harm it or any part of your reef.

Both porcelains are one of the few completely reef safe crabs imo.
Click to expand...

thnks bro.. this helps a lot will put my blue porcelain crab in my nem tank.... I love seeing my porcelain crab in my anemones... my b/w clown doesnt bother it.. sometimes i see my clown fish, porcelain crab and my sexy shrimp all in one anemone.. its an awesome sight to see..
 
Yah Ocellaris and percula clowns aren't too bad, they usually leave the crabs alone. Especially if the anemone is big enough.

My gold stripe maroon female chased everything away. A crab in her anemone being chased away wasn't a big suprise. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top