Porcelain Crab

[Justletters7]

Been looking around for some interesting critters for my cuc in my refugium and found these neat looking crabs. Just wondering what the general care would be for these guys. Do they play nice with each other and everyone else? And what tank size would you recommend for them. From what I have read on LiveAquaria they sound kind of fragile.
Thank you!

 

[Calappidae]

They're not so much a CUC as they are filterfeeders.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LKNM2kA_9AQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
(Not my video..)

What doesn't hurt them they are 100% safe with. They are the only true harmless crabs


There are two kinds tho.. regular porcelain crabs (like in the video) and anemone porcelain crabs which host anemones.. the anemone porcelains will form mated pairs and will need a host.. they actually enjoy my ricordae mushrooms which is a plus (no anemone required).

 

[Justletters7]

Thanks for the video. I wasn't going to use them as a cuc I just found them as I was looking around for some. I am more interested in the regular Porcelain Crabs though the anemone ones look cool. Can I have multiplies of them? And when I chose tank mates should I be worried about fish that bite feather dusters or just ones that eat crabs?

 

[Calappidae]

You can have multiple.

In a regular community tank housing inverts they should be fine. I don't believe the fish that nip at feather dusters perticulary butterflies will threaten a crab. They do drop their claws as a stress response but those will grow back after a few molts. More often than now they're be sold and arrive with missing claws.

 

[Justletters7]

Thank you for the information defiantly going to keep these guys in mind.

 

[Mpy]

I think I currently have around 40 in a 55g, you can definitely have multiple in a tank. They are filter feeders, but mine will eat left over food pellets too.

Everyone that visits loves to watch them, my 5yr old nephew, my parents, girlfriends, everyone thinks they are so fun to watch.

 

[Justletters7]

Sounds like they come out a lot. That another reason why I am interested in them they look like there fun to have and what Calappidae said they wont harm anything else.

 

[Mpy]

They are very peaceful, and quite fun. They come in an array of colors too, I have blues, greens, red/brown and purple.

 

[Justletters7]

When I first started researching saltwater tanks I want a crab but most were to aggressive to be with fish these guys sound great for my tank.
Thanks for the all information I really appreciate it!