Porcelan Crabs Pros\Cons

[mako417]

Just received a Porcelan Crab from an online retailer...website said average ship size around the size of a Nickle...crab arrived and he is the size of a half dollar if not bigger. I have a 75gal reef but a little nervous about putting such a big crab in my tank.

Pros\Cons????

Any help or suggestions appreciated.

 

[LeslieH]

porcelain crabs are either filter feeders or detritus feeders. They use feathery appendages to sweep the water or the bottom for detritus. As a group they're among the very few truly reef safe crabs.

 

[charlesr1958]

I have never had an issue with that family of crab, but to be safe, do you know what species it is? Or provide a photo of it if unknown? Thanks.

Chuck

 

[charlesr1958]

Nevermind, Leslie hit "post" just a few miliseconds before I did...lol

Chuck

 

[JetCat USA]

I've never seen a porcelain that large myself, I'd be suspicious of it being a porcelain carb. does it have the feathery appendages rather then claws??

 

[mako417]

It does have front claws...but has the feathery appendages as well...I just fed the tank phytoplankton and he began sweeping the water with the feathery appendages like crazy.

This is what it looks like...

My main concerns are:

Is it reef/fish safe...even with the larger size?? I know most crabs are scavengers or oppurtunity feeders so just want to make sure inverts, shrimp and fish will be safe.

How do I care for it over the long haul?? As a filter feeder and a little larger than I expected what do I feed it to keep it long term?

Any advice appreciated!

 

[Grins]

Looks like a porcelain to me. Mine is smaller and white with red but it has never bothered anything, just filters food.

 

[JetCat USA]

yeah it's a porcelain but I've never seen one that large, or that red either shouldn't have any problems out of it none the less.

 

[Doc Hammer]

Those claws aren't really any real danger, mostly for show.

 

[LeslieH]

Obviously you've never been nipped by a good size porcelain crab!

Completely reef safe. It will need frequent supplemental feeding. Give it large size plankton.

 

[mako417]

Cool, Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

I would be most concerned about him knocking over my rock work! (Something to think about anyway)

 

[JetCat USA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10514299#post10514299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REEF-n-Chicago
I would be most concerned about him knocking over my rock work! (Something to think about anyway)

they aren't destructive like some other crabs, most of the time they stay around the base of an anemone and never move.

 

[Grins]

most aren't that large either.

 

[Yinepu]

mine isn't that large. and so far he stays at the base of my flower anemone rock. perfect gentleman er... gentlecrab

 

[ginger7286]

He is beautiful I have a small one in my tank (dime sized) very cool though and quite the character when feeding. Very nice speciman.

 

[Grins]

This is my little guy the same day he was put in the tank:

Poor thing was missing one claw and one leg but he fans well

 

[JetCat USA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10518669#post10518669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Grins

Poor thing was missing one claw and one leg but he fans well

they should be replaced after a molt or two.

 

[Grins]

Yes, waiting for that. So far he has claimed a space under the branching hammer.

 

[LeslieH]

Grins, yours is in the genus Neopetrolisthes, species is probably oshimai. These guys normally live in pairs in large anemones - the same kind clownfish like.