Anemone Crabs
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
These crabs are commensals that live on large anemones, particularly clownfish-host anemones. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
Anemone Crabs differ from “standard” crabs in having only three pairs of thoracic walking legs. The last (fourth) pair is reduced and folded up over the back of the thorax. Their claws are large, flattened, and roughly elliptical. A pair of large appendages is located on the front underside of the thorax and remains out of sight until the animal feeds. Looking like large, frilled baskets, these mouthparts are like nets waved through the water to catch particulates, such as zooplankton.
Family: Porcellanidae
Other common name(s):
- Porcelain Crabs
- Spotted Porcelain Crabs
Native range:
Maximum length: 5 cm (2 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 38 L (10 gal)
Lighting: Immaterial.
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Feeding
Feed on larger particulate foods suspended in the water column. Some also scavenge aquarium foods. Most starve to death due to a lack of sufficient planktonic foods.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Good aquarium animals. Clownfishes may drive these crabs off their anemone, resulting in the crab’s death.
| Common name | Anemone Crabs +, Porcelain Crabs +, and Spotted Porcelain Crabs + |
| Family | Porcellanidae + |
| Genus | Neopetrolisthes + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Lighting | Immaterial. + |
| Maximum length | 2 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 10 gal + |
| Native range | Indo-Pacific +, and Caribbean + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates + |
| Specific name | maculata + |
| Text credit | RLS + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |