Do Porcelain Anemone Crabs absolutely need an anemone to survive?

While highly recommended for their long-term well-being and to observe their natural behaviours, it is not strictly mandatory. In an aquarium without an anemone, they will often seek refuge in fuzzy mushrooms, large-polyp stony corals (like Frogspawn), or simple rock crevices.

What do Porcelain Anemone Crabs eat?

They are dedicated filter feeders. They require suspended micro-foods such as live or liquid phytoplankton, rotifers, copepods, and fine marine snow, which they catch using fan-like appendages extended into the water current.

Will my clownfish fight with my Porcelain Anemone Crab?

It depends on the clownfish species and the size of the anemone. Peaceful species like Ocellaris usually tolerate the crab in a large anemone. However, highly territorial or large clownfish like the Maroon Clownfish may attack and evict the crab.

Are Porcelain Anemone Crabs reef safe?

Yes, they are completely reef safe. They will not pinch, nip, or consume corals, polyps, or other invertebrates, as they rely entirely on filtering micro-plankton from the water column.

Why has my Porcelain Anemone Crab been hiding for days?

It is most likely preparing to moult or has just moulted. During this time, their new exoskeleton is completely soft, making them highly vulnerable. They will hide securely until their shell hardens. Never disturb them during this process.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Porcelain Anemone Crab

Neopetrolisthes maculatus

The Porcelain Anemone Crab is a peaceful, fascinating marine invertebrate renowned for its symbiotic relationship with sea anemones and its unique filter-feeding behaviour.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 26 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 15 – 25 dGH
Salinity: 1.023 – 1.025 SG
Adult size: 2 – 4 cm
Nano reef or larger: 30 litres+
Lifespan: 2 – 4 years
Diet: Filter feeder; requires suspended micro-plankton and organic detritus.
Water flow: moderate
Preferred setup: Mature marine aquarium with ample live rock. A host anemone is highly beneficial but not strictly mandatory.

About the Porcelain Anemone Crab

True to its name, the Porcelain Anemone Crab boasts a smooth, delicate-looking carapace that resembles fine china. Although universally called a crab in the trade, it actually belongs to the family Porcellanidae, making it more closely related to squat lobsters than true crabs. In the marine aquarium, these fascinating creatures are highly sought after for their captivating feeding behaviour. They spend much of their time perched on an anemone, repeatedly extending and retracting sweeping, fan-like mouthparts to capture plankton from the water column. They are incredibly peaceful towards other tank inhabitants, dedicating their time to filtering the current rather than scavenging or hunting.

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Where Porcelain Anemone Crab comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific

Countries / regions

Indonesia, Australia, Philippines, Japan, Fiji

Habitat

Shallow coral reefs, almost exclusively found dwelling among the tentacles of large host sea anemones.

Widespread throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific anywhere suitable host anemones are abundant.

Similar species

Pom Pom Crab
Lybia tessellata
Emerald Crab
Mithraculus sculptus
Sally Lightfoot Crab
Percnon gibbesi

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Generally peaceful clownfish that can often cohabit the same large anemone without harming the crab.
Great
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Peaceful invertebrate that will ignore the crab and occupies a different ecological niche in the aquarium.
Great
Maroon Clownfish
Premnas biaculeatus
Large, highly territorial clownfish species that may bully or evict the crab from a shared anemone.
Compatible with caution
Longnose Hawkfish
Oxycirrhites typus
Predatory towards small crustaceans; likely to attack or consume the crab.
Not recommended
Picasso Triggerfish
Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Equipped with strong jaws specifically designed to crush and eat small crabs and other invertebrates.
Not recommended

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