Spotted Porcelain Anemone Crab care guide
Spotted Porcelain Anemone Crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) — minimum tank 80 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Overview
Spotted Porcelain Anemone Crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) is a marine porcelain crab of the family Porcellanidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Beautiful white porcelain crab with red spots, lives commensally inside anemones (Stichodactyla, Heteractis). Filters microscopic food from current.
Taxonomy
- Family: Porcellanidae
- Genus: Neopetrolisthes
- Scientific name: Neopetrolisthes maculatus
- Common synonyms: Anemone Porcelain Crab
Habitat
Porcelain crabs (family Porcellanidae) are anomuran crustaceans that resemble true crabs but are more closely related to squat lobsters. They use feathery mouth appendages to filter plankton from the water and many species live commensally among the tentacles of host anemones. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Indo-Pacific.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (21.1 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-4 cm
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- KH: 8-12 °dKH
- Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
Diet
The species is a filter feeder, sweeping plankton and suspended particles from the water with feathery mouthparts; in aquaria its diet is supplemented with finely powdered or liquid planktonic foods, and it also gleans detritus.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Carpet anemones, Reef fish. It should be kept away from Aggressive fish. It associates with host anemones or corals for shelter and is generally reef-safe.
Breeding
Breeding requires an extended planktonic larval stage in open water before the young settle, which makes captive reproduction very difficult and rarely accomplished in home aquaria. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-collected.