Lissoporcellana nakasonei
Lissoporcellana nakasonei was first officially described by the scientist Miyake in 1978.
There is no unique common name known for this specific species. In the aquarium hobby, animals from this family are often given collective names such as ‘porcelain crab’. Taxonomically, this species belongs to the family Porcellanidae. It is important to note that porcelain crabs are not ‘true’ crabs (Brachyura), but belong to the infraorder Anomura. This makes them more closely related to hermit crabs and jumping crabs than to the common beach crab.
The genus name Lissoporcellana refers to the type genus Porcellana, with the prefix ‘Lisso-‘ (from the Greek lissos) often meaning ‘smooth’. This refers to the relatively smooth carapaces of species within this genus. The species name nakasonei is a tribute to a person, most likely the researcher Nakasone, who, together with Miyake, has published other work on this group of animals.
Synonym: Porcellana maculata.
Description
Lissoporcellana nakasonei is a small and delicately built creature in the aquarium. As is characteristic of porcelain crabs, this species also has a flattened body. They have only three pairs of visible walking legs. The fourth pair of legs is greatly reduced in size and is often kept under the carapace to clean the gills and body. The animals have very long antennae with which they constantly monitor their surroundings.
The color and patterns of this species are often spectacular and serve as camouflage. The body is usually transparent or whitish, covered with a pattern of red, purple, or orange spots and bands. This pattern continues onto the legs and claws. This makes them barely noticeable when they are sitting among the branches of their host, which is usually a soft coral.
The most striking feature is the large, flat claws. Although these sometimes look threatening, they are not used to catch or kill prey. The claws are mainly used for defense and to claim territory on the coral. This crab has specially adapted mouthparts for eating. These are fine, hair-like fans that they hold in the current to filter floating food from the water.
In terms of size, this species remains very modest. The carapace usually reaches a width of approximately 0.60 cm to 1.00 cm. Including the legs and claws, the animal appears slightly larger, but it remains a miniature inhabitant. The difference between the sexes is difficult to see from the outside without turning the animal over. Females have a wider tail flap that is folded back under the body, under which they carry their eggs. In adult males, this flap is narrower.
The temperament is peaceful. Lissoporcellana nakasonei is not an active swimmer and rarely leaves its spot on the coral. They often live in pairs or small groups on a single coral colony, as long as there is enough space. Life expectancy in the aquarium has not been precisely determined, but similar small porcelain crabs often live between 2 and 3 years, depending on temperature and nutrition.
Biotope
This species is native to the western Indo-Pacific. Its natural range is quite large, stretching from southern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands to the Philippines, Indonesia, and New Caledonia. They live in tropical seas and are inextricably linked to coral reefs.
In nature, Lissoporcellana nakasonei are rarely found wandering freely on the seabed or on rocks. They live as commensals on soft corals. In particular, the colorful soft corals of the genera Dendronephthya and Scleronephthya are used as hosts. The crabs sit among the branches or needles of the coral. Their color pattern is often perfectly adapted to the polyps of the host, making them almost invisible to enemies.
The habitat is further characterized by water movement. The host corals often grow in areas with moderate to strong currents, such as reef slopes or overhangs. This is beneficial for the crab, as the current brings in fresh food. The animals are usually found at depths ranging from a few meters to as much as 40 meters, depending on where their host coral grows. In this biotope, they must be constantly on guard. Coral climbers, wrasse, and other predatory fish are natural enemies that strike immediately when the crab leaves its hiding place.
Diet
Lissoporcellana nakasonei is a specialized filter feeder. In nature, they use their adapted mouthparts, which look like small fans, to filter food from the water. They use these to catch phytoplankton, zooplankton, and floating organic particles carried by the current. They do not actively hunt prey or eat algae from rocks, as some other crabs do.
This is something you need to take into account in the aquarium. Because modern marine aquariums are often equipped with powerful skimmers and filters, the water can sometimes be too ‘clean’ and lacking in nutrients for these animals. It is therefore often necessary to feed them. Suitable food consists of very fine material. Think of live or frozen phytoplankton, rotifers, newly hatched artemia nauplii, copepods, or special dust food for corals. Pulverized dry food can also be accepted, as long as the particles are small enough to remain in the fans.
A common mistake is to assume that these crabs can survive on the remains of fish food. They cannot process coarse food or large pieces. If there is not enough floating food in the water, they will slowly starve to death. You can prevent this by carefully releasing a cloud of food upstream from the crab using a pipette or syringe. Make sure the current carries the food to the crab naturally. Do not spray it directly onto the animal, as this will startle it and cause it to retreat, preventing it from eating.
The Aquarium
Because Lissoporcellana nakasonei remains very small, it does not place high demands on the size of the aquarium. A nano aquarium from 30 liters (for example, 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm) is sufficient for these animals. They can of course also be kept in larger aquariums, but there you run the risk of rarely seeing them due to their small size and good camouflage.
The layout of the tank is more important than its size. Because these crabs live on soft corals in nature, it is essential to provide them with a similar environment. In the aquarium, they often accept substitute hosts such as gorgonians (fan corals) or branching leather corals. Place the host in a location with sufficient water flow. The crab must be able to sit in the current to catch food without being washed away. Ensure stable water values, as these small invertebrates are sensitive to fluctuations.
The water values must correspond to those of a standard tropical reef aquarium:
- Temperature: 23 °C to 27 °C.
- Salinity: 1.023 to 1.025.
- pH value: between 8.1 and 8.4.
- Nitrate and phosphate: low, as is common in coral tanks.
You need to be careful when choosing tank mates. These crabs are completely safe for all fish and lower animals; they do not damage corals. However, they are easy prey. Do not place them with fish that are known to hunt crustaceans. Avoid wrasse (especially the larger species), coral climbers, pufferfish, and triggerfish. Good neighbors are peaceful animals such as small gobies, pipefish (provided the current is not too strong for the pipefish), or other peaceful shrimp.
Breeding Lissoporcellana nakasonei
Breeding Lissoporcellana nakasonei in a standard aquarium is extremely challenging and is rarely, if ever, successfully accomplished by hobbyists. This is not because the animals do not reproduce, but because the young go through a complex larval stage. In a community aquarium, the larvae do not stand a chance; they are eaten by other inhabitants or end up in the filter system.
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Author
Since I bought my first second-hand aquarium when I was twelve, I have always had one or more aquariums. I even converted a garage into a breeding room where I had 50 aquariums containing around 10,000 liters of water. At the moment, I have two aquariums: a 1,250-liter Tanganyika aquarium and a 250-liter community aquarium with plants. For the past 10 years, I have been working on this website as a writer and photographer.
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