Porcelain Anemone Crab Care Guide
Neopetrolisthes maculatus is an Indo-Pacific filter-feeding porcelain crab that lives symbiotically among the tentacles of sea anemones, much like clownfish.
Overview
Neopetrolisthes maculatus is a small porcelain crab of the family Porcellanidae. Despite its common name, it is not a true crab — it belongs to the infraorder Anomura (squat lobsters and relatives) within the order Decapoda. It has a round central body with a smooth, porcelain-like surface, colourful with numerous small red spots.
Taxonomy
- Family: Porcellanidae
- Genus: Neopetrolisthes
- Scientific name: Neopetrolisthes maculatus
- Common names: porcelain anemone crab, spotted porcelain crab
Habitat
The species is found in the Indo-Pacific, usually within the stinging tentacles of large sea anemones, typically one pair per host. The anemone provides protection from predators, and the crabs are territorial of their host.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Water flow: moderate
- Best kept with a host anemone
Diet
Neopetrolisthes maculatus is a filter feeder. Rather than using its claws to capture food, it uses long bristles on its mouthparts like a broom to sweep plankton, algae, small crustaceans and other small organisms from the water column. The claws function mainly in defence.
Reef compatibility
It is a peaceful, reef-safe species often kept in pairs. Because it shares the anemone with clownfish, it may be bullied by clownfish competing for the same host.