Porcelain crabs

[porpoiseaquatics]

Friend or foe? I've found a crab in my tank and by body, looks like a porcelain crab but has slightly different coloration than the ones pictured on the internet. It's the same body shape including the claws but instead of being spotted, it's striped in green and red stripes. Looks like all he does is eat at night and feeds amongst the rocks. I can't get a picture because as soon as light hits it, he runs and hides.

Thoughts?

 

[merkywater]

Safe Jeff....I've seen them with stripes before. When you post a pic I can confirm.

If you see to big appendages sweeping to catch food it is most likely a porcelain.

 

[jdavid]

This is just a porcelain crab (in this picture)

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[camellia]

That's a neat looking crab.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

He's very similar in coloration and striping to the one posted. Whew! That's a load off of my mind. I thought he was ok.

 

[hiimsean]

They're pretty cool. Mine liked to hide a good bit. They do like to chill in anemones if you have any.

 

[jeffmuse]

Camellia;901338 wrote: That's a neat looking crab.

Agreed, very cool!

 

[joseayes]

I just copy this from liveaquaria, just if this is same species that you have seen Jeff, tough there is a lot of coloration on the porcelain crabs
<span style="color: Blue">
The Porcelain Crab is common throughout the tropical oceans of the world, and has a flat, round body with two large front claws. They are brown and orange in coloration with bright blue spots. These crabs have a pair of front arms called maxillipeds, which have ends that are feather-like in appearance. They use these appendages to filter the water for any passing food. They are peaceful and interesting invertebrates for the marine aquarium.

Porcelain Crabs live together in pairs typically found within or under rocks in nature. The ideal aquarium will contain plenty of live rock for both hiding and feeding, and will not contain any fish or invertebrates that may bring harm to these peaceful invertebrates. They are reef safe, and will not harm other invertebrates or corals.

The Porcelain Crab constantly filters the water for planktonic food, but will also scavenge for larger meaty portions. Offer the crab small bits of fish, shrimp or meaty food, as well as foods designed for filter feeders.</span>

 

[bulkrate]

Yup, that's a "zebra" porcelain crab (petrolisthes bolivarensis). One of the more spectacularly colored varieties that show up on the local market. Never seen one go after anything it shouldn't.

In my experience, also the most shy and reclusive. I've had two over the past couple of years, both of which just slid themselves into the rockwork and were barely visible.

 

[d3r3k]

Fun Fact - Porcelain crabs are not really crabs and are more closely related to squat lobsters.

 

[tbub1221]

Very cool find Jeff.
I have a 6" mini maxi carpet and I was entertaining the thought of introducing to it an anemone crab.