Neopetrolisthes maculatus – Anemone Porcelain Crab
The body of Neopetrolisthes maculatus is shiny white with red spots. The front pair of legs has adapted to the crab’s diet. They have changed into fans that they use to filter the flowing water.
Neopetrolisthes maculatus survives by utilizing a type of symbiosis called commensalism. The crab seeks out an anemone and uses the stinging tentacles of the anemone for protection. The anemone is not bothered by the crab, but does not benefit from its presence either.voor bescherming. De anomoon heeft geen last van de krab maar profiteert ook niet van zijn aanwezigheid.
Synonym: Neopetrolisthes oshimai
Origin
Neopetrolisthes maculatus, or Anemone Porcelain Crab, originates from the Indian Ocean, where it is commonly found. They occur at depths of 3 to 20 meters.
The Aquarium
They can be kept in an aquarium provided you give them an anemone in which they can seek shelter. Without an anemone, this porcelain crab has little chance of resisting attacks from fish. They can be kept well in coral reef aquariums where no large fish are kept.
It is best to keep a single specimen in the aquarium unless you are certain that it is a pair. Two Neopetrolisthes maculatus of the same sex will fight each other to the death.
Suitable anemones are sand anemones (Bunodactis) or carpet anemones (Stichodactyla haddoni).
Diet
Porcelain crabs feed using their fan-like hands. By unfolding these reduced fourth pair of legs, they can filter plankton from the water. They can fold their fan-like hands and hide them in their shell.
In the aquarium, you can feed them brine shrimp, brine shrimp nauplii, zooplankton, and crayfish eggs.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
John de Lange
Richard Ling
Rickard Zerpe – CC BY 2.0
