Missing porcelain anemone crab

[Nikio318107]

Hey guys so I have had my biocube set up for a little while now and I have a pretty good amount of corals(all softies) I have a bunch of hermit’s and snails and I have 2 emerald crabs. I have 3 rock flower anemones and 3 bubble tips. I recently bought an anemone crab and it stayed in one spot for the first day(not near an anemone) and then he disappeared into the rocks. After a couple days I took a flash light and finally found him on the back/bottom of a piece of rock. The next day he was GONE again. I’m just wondering if this is normal for them and if I need to start worrying/pulling **** out to look for it. I test everything regularly and dose as well. I’ve not seen ANY ammonia spike at all and all corals/fish/inverts are thriving. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

IMO one small crab shouldn’t crash your tank especially with the other crabs to clean up. That being said, they can hide for a long time. I have two coral banded shrimp in two different reefs. Thought one was gone as I never see it. Then after weeks if not months I was looking and out came his arm. He ducked back when a fish came by, but he is still there.

I wouldn’t tear down the tank for him. If he survives you will know eventually.

 

[tnm_ka]

It's pretty normal, he's just trying to explore the tank before he settles in the anemone

 

[damsels are not mean]

Hard to tell from the pic, but I think that is actually petrolisthes galathinus, which does not associate with anemones and is a rock-dweller. In the wild often found in small groups under overhangs and suck. It will get more active and bold once settled in but they generally do not go near anemones on purpose. Equally harmless and peaceful though.

Anemone crabs are from the neopetrolisthes genus and are generally all white with red spots or blotches.

 

[Nikio318107]

Hard to tell from the pic, but I think that is actually petrolisthes galathinus, which does not associate with anemones and is a rock-dweller. In the wild often found in small groups under overhangs and suck. It will get more active and bold once settled in but they generally do not go near anemones on purpose. Equally harmless and peaceful though.

Anemone crabs are from the neopetrolisthes genus and are generally all white with red spots or blotches.

 

[Nikio318107]

That’s not a porcelain anemone crab? I’m not trying to argue I’m just new too reefing.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

That’s not a porcelain anemone crab? I’m not trying to argue I’m just new too reefing.

No that is not a porcelain crab. At least not one I have ever seen.

 

[SaltyT]

Not all porcelain crabs associate with anemones. Your porcelain crab is from the genus Petrolisthes which are commonly found on rocks and corals.

​

 

[kevgib67]

Doesn’t look like my porcelain crab.

 

[Nikio318107]

Well regardless of what he is…. GOOD NEWS!!!!!

 

[Beau_B]

Looks like the "blue" variety. I have no idea the scientific name, I get them from reefcleaners. Mine hide a lot, but ultimately set up shop in the rocks where the flow is best for them to fan the water for food.

 

[damsels are not mean]

petrolisthes (rock dwellers, doesn't care about corals) I have 2 blue ones

Bottom and top left look like yours

 

[damsels are not mean]

neopetrolisthes (love anemones, may only leave for molting)

 

[Hemmdog]

neopetrolisthes (love anemones, may only leave for molting)

All types of anemones in the hobby or only specific ones?

 

[damsels are not mean]

All types of anemones in the hobby or only specific ones?

I think they most often associate with carpet anemones. At least that's what it seems from wild pictures. But I have seen them in torch corals and various other anemones in captivity. I have even seen one in a soft coral called asterospicularia. So I don't think they really care, much like a clownfish, as long as they are comfortable in it.

 

[SaltyT]

petrolisthes (rock dwellers, doesn't care about corals)

My porcelain crab lived in my montipora cap colony but I know that you meant they don't care for corals that aren't stony.

 

[Groovyd]

neopetrolisthes (love anemones, may only leave for molting)

I have an Anenomi porcelain crab that has been happily dwelling in the Anenomi for the two weeks we have had it. Today, it was under the Anenomi and an hour later the Anenomi closed up tight with only a couple of tentacles sticking out. I am very curious as to what is happening. Molting?

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

I have an Anenomi porcelain crab that has been happily dwelling in the Anenomi for the two weeks we have had it. Today, it was under the Anenomi and an hour later the Anenomi closed up tight with only a couple of tentacles sticking out. I am very curious as to what is happening. Molting?

My anemones purge fairly often. From your description that is my guess. It should open back up within a day. But you should check your parameters in case.