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Unread 08/05/2012, 06:56 PM   #1
CAPSLOK
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Porcelain crab questions

I would like to get a porcelain crab for my 20g FOWLR.

Does a porcelain crab primarily filter feed? I had read that they also scavenge and eat meaty foods. How frequently would I want to offer plankton if it was just the one crab?

Would they do better in a pair (different sites seem to vary on that)?

Is offering filter feeder fare worthwhile for just 1-2 crabs?


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Unread 08/07/2012, 02:00 PM   #2
Fretfreak13
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Depends on your tank. I work at an aquarium and we have hitch hiker porceilian crabs everywhere, most in tanks that are not fed any form of planktonic food. They eat whats left over from the food we feed the other animals in the exibits (makeral, shrimp, squid, etc.) so I'm sure they'd be fine just eating what you feed your tank.


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Unread 08/07/2012, 05:22 PM   #3
CAPSLOK
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Ok thanks that makes it easier.

Is there a way to tell if they aren't getting enough food (aside from death )?

Do they like to be in pairs or generally hang out singly?


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Unread 08/07/2012, 09:36 PM   #4
killerbubbles
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Crabs will eat anything living, when given the chance, including other inverts and fish. So a sign of them not getting enough food would be missing livestock.


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Unread 08/24/2012, 01:54 AM   #5
benjaminspades
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Would it be a bother to have one in a nem t ank? I mean if I cut a nem would it harm the nem if it hosts it al lday?


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Unread 02/20/2013, 07:09 PM   #6
robs.mark
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Quote:
Originally Posted by killerbubbles View Post
Crabs will eat anything living, when given the chance, including other inverts and fish. So a sign of them not getting enough food would be missing livestock.
poor advice, porcelain crabs are filter feeders and will not eat fish.


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Unread 02/21/2013, 05:58 PM   #7
OKDOHK
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Porcelain crabs are as safe as it gets with crabs. Make sure it's a porcelain anemone crab (Neopetrolisthes genus) you get and not a normal porcelain crab. Other porcelain crabs generally hide most of the time and can be found anywhere in the tank. While porcelain anemone crabs stay on anemones and are out all the time.


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Unread 02/21/2013, 08:18 PM   #8
Shells4
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I've had mine for 2+ years and never feed it anything special.


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Unread 02/21/2013, 08:48 PM   #9
amutti
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Easiest crab ever. No worries on this one. I'll save you one worry, when they molt you'll see its exoskeleton and swear the crab is dead- it isn't.


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Unread 03/10/2013, 11:33 AM   #10
hillbillybjopkr
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when I feed my corals i give my porcelains a lil squirt...they love it...they stick there lil fans out and wave them like crazy....some of the easiest crabs to keep


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Unread 03/10/2013, 12:45 PM   #11
CAPSLOK
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Do the porcelain anemone crabs NEED an anemone or coral to associate with? This is why I was thinking of a just plain porcelain crab, I don't have nor plan to have an anemone. Although I am planning to do easy corals in the future (zoas, hammer, GSP types).


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Unread 03/12/2013, 07:31 AM   #12
alexander_ktn
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They don't need anemones or corals in my experience. If there are spots on the live rock that allow it to feel safe it will be perfectly alright.


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Unread 03/12/2013, 09:11 AM   #13
rssjsb
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CAPSLOK View Post
Do the porcelain anemone crabs NEED an anemone or coral to associate with? This is why I was thinking of a just plain porcelain crab, I don't have nor plan to have an anemone. Although I am planning to do easy corals in the future (zoas, hammer, GSP types).
I think the red and white ones sold as anemone crabs might, in fact, need an anemone. The Caribbean porcelains, usually blue or purple, do not.


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Unread 03/12/2013, 05:17 PM   #14
J2T
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Hmm, not so sure..my porcelain crab hung out in my BTAs until my female clown evicted him. He has since been living in my GSP and seems no worse for the wear.


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Unread 03/13/2013, 04:12 AM   #15
ValleyDude
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Originally Posted by rssjsb View Post
I think...white ones sold as anemone crabs might, in fact, need an anemone.
They do not require an anemone, although might be happier with one. Mine have been doing fine without the anemone I used to have. One likes to chill in my Zoa colony while the other likes hanging out on the top rock.


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Unread 03/13/2013, 10:01 PM   #16
hillbillybjopkr
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so the red and white one's are nem crabs.....good to know and explains a couple things. I bought mine as just a porcalin crab....white with lil red spots. since i put a long tent nem in the tank a couple days ago....crab won't leave it alone


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Unread 03/14/2013, 10:27 AM   #17
accordsirh22
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Originally Posted by amutti View Post
Easiest crab ever. No worries on this one. I'll save you one worry, when they molt you'll see its exoskeleton and swear the crab is dead- it isn't.
hehe very true. it looks straight up like they died when they molt


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Unread 03/17/2013, 10:12 AM   #18
hillbillybjopkr
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Originally Posted by robs.mark View Post
poor advice, porcelain crabs are filter feeders and will not eat fish.
i believed that to untill this morning. My big porcaline was holding a small piece of shrimp with his filtering arms....looked like he was holding it munchin away..


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Unread 03/18/2013, 11:21 AM   #19
Alavaster
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Originally Posted by OKDOHK View Post
Make sure it's a porcelain anemone crab (Neopetrolisthes genus) you get and not a normal porcelain crab. Other porcelain crabs generally hide most of the time and can be found anywhere in the tank.
^ They can be paired with anemones which is awesome.


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Unread 03/21/2013, 08:57 PM   #20
auburngrad
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great crabs to have, entertaining to watch them fan, and they are low maintenance. i initially bought 4, and they started breeding, so now i have 7-10 at any given time.


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Unread 03/22/2013, 07:28 AM   #21
OKDOHK
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great crabs to have, entertaining to watch them fan, and they are low maintenance. i initially bought 4, and they started breeding, so now i have 7-10 at any given time.
Crabs can't reproduce in our tanks. The eggs would never mature.


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