Porcelain Crab Tank Preparedness

[TDDredge]

How old should a tank be before it can reasonably sustain a porcelain crab? Mine is 7 months old, and did have a slightly goofy cycle (had fungus rather than algae outbreak in the tanks ugly phase). Currently that fungus is steadily losing and algae is making a comeback. That said, my water parameters are very good, albeit nitrates and phosphates are a touch low. What would I need to do to make sure the crab had enough to eat? Can you spot feed them? If so, what are some good things to have to spot feed them? And finally, any issues with a pistol shrimp and porcelain crab? My pistol is a model citizen however it does occasionally get a bit sassy.

 

[terraincognita]

How old should a tank be before it can reasonably sustain a porcelain crab? Mine is 7 months old, and did have a slightly goofy cycle (had fungus rather than algae outbreak in the tanks ugly phase). Currently that fungus is steadily losing and algae is making a comeback. That said, my water parameters are very good, albeit nitrates and phosphates are a touch low. What would I need to do to make sure the crab had enough to eat? Can you spot feed them? If so, what are some good things to have to spot feed them? And finally, any issues with a pistol shrimp and porcelain crab? My pistol is a model citizen however it does occasionally get a bit sassy.

They're filter feeders and generally will get their fill during a normal tank feeding if you're feeding frozen.

I also feed mine phyto like reef roids. lots of molts and happy crab.

In nature they stay with nems, so if you have a nem great, they can survive without it though I'm pretty sure.

They're honestly relatively easy to take care of.

 

[Pkunk35]

Porcelains will filter feed out the column and will find a spot they like with flow and stay there much the time IME. You can also directly feed them mysid/food which they will eat eagerly

also, if the pistol can live so can the crab
Any Pics of the tank?

 

[TDDredge]

They're filter feeders and generally will get their fill during a normal tank feeding if you're feeding frozen.

I also feed mine phyto like reef roids. lots of molts and happy crab.

In nature they stay with nems, so if you have a nem great, they can survive without it though I'm pretty sure.

They're honestly relatively easy to take care of.

My big concern was that there would be enough in the water column. I do have a nem! The plan was to place them close to it. And you answered my next question, I wanted to know if I could feed them reef roids. I mostly feed flake and pellet for the nutrient density, but I have some frozen mysis I could absolutely target feed.

 

[TDDredge]

Porcelains will filter feed out the column and will find a spot they like with flow and stay there much the time IME. You can also directly feed them mysid/food which they will eat eagerly

also, if the pistol can live so can the crab
Any Pics of the tank?

Do they take flake or pellet at all? Yeah my bigger concern was whether or not the pistol would end the crab. But it seems like they likely won't encounter each other. Though to be fair my pistol is a bro. The cleaner shrimp occasionally hangs out with him and the ywg. Also though, no violence issues with the porcelains?

Tank needs more coral. I am diligently working on that.

 

[terraincognita]

Do they take flake or pellet at all? Yeah my bigger concern was whether or not the pistol would end the crab. But it seems like they likely won't encounter each other. Though to be fair my pistol is a bro. The cleaner shrimp occasionally hangs out with him and the ywg. Also though, no violence issues with the porcelains?

Tank needs more coral. I am diligently working on that.

I have a pistol and they never even run into each other.

99% your porcelain will seek out the nem and hang out around it's foot and basically never leave.

Reef Roids should be enough with flakes. They'll pick out the tiny particles in the water column that flow by and eat it.

For that reason I've always used frozen mixes when I feed and have filter feeders like that, but I'm sure the flakes and reef roids would suffice, you don't need to target feed.

 

[TDDredge]

I have a pistol and they never even run into each other.

99% your porcelain will seek out the nem and hang out around it's foot and basically never leave.

Reef Roids should be enough with flakes. They'll pick out the tiny particles in the water column that flow by and eat it.

For that reason I've always used frozen mixes when I feed and have filter feeders like that, but I'm sure the flakes and reef roids would suffice, you don't need to target feed.

Awesome. And should they be paired? I occasionally see that they can be, but is it alright to have just one? Since my clownfish is a doofus it'll have the nem all to itself.

 

[Pkunk35]

So the crabs can fight if same sex (to the death too), not sure how to sex them and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a pair for sale but man I would buy that in a heartbeat...

also, watch the crab and clown when introducing. I did have a clown kill my porcelain when it took over the Anemone that the crab was hosting. Crab was there first tho in my case and it was also a true Percula clown so pretty aggressive.

 

[TDDredge]

So the crabs can fight if same sex (to the death too), not sure how to sex them and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a pair for sale but man I would buy that in a heartbeat...

also, watch the crab and clown when introducing. I did have a clown kill my porcelain when it took over the Anemone that the crab was hosting. Crab was there first tho in my case and it was also a true Percula clown so pretty aggressive.

Noted. 1 crab. Not too worried about my clown, pretty sure it's still a he, it's an ocellaris, and he has been a dweeb. Total model citizen, literally never been aggressive to anything, and doesn't host the nem, which I got hoping he would host it lol. The most air in that tank is where that fish's brain should be, but I love my little village idiot. First fish in the tank, been an absolute champion. Most peaceful fish in there, and that's saying something because I've gotten very lucky with fish temperaments.

 

[terraincognita]

Noted. 1 crab. Not too worried about my clown, pretty sure it's still a he, it's an ocellaris, and he has been a dweeb. Total model citizen, literally never been aggressive to anything, and doesn't host the nem, which I got hoping he would host it lol. The most air in that tank is where that fish's brain should be, but I love my little village idiot. First fish in the tank, been an absolute champion. Most peaceful fish in there, and that's saying something because I've gotten very lucky with fish temperaments.

My clowns hosted after I got my crab funny enough.

They were like "what's this guy doing?" "Oh this is cool"

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

Very timely question since I'm considering the addition of a small pistol shrimp to the tank with my porcelain crab!

Absolutely love watching my porcelain crab. I'm fortunate enough that he found a spot to hang out right front and center in my tank so I get to see him fanning all day. Mine likes to hang upside down in branching green star polyps and rarely moves from his spot.

The tank is relatively new but the rocks are all close to two years old and the tank produces a lot of copepods and who knows what else for him to eat. I do still occasionally spot feed Reef-Roids and Rods for him and his tankmate, a pom pom crab. He's a super chill guy and will even grab onto my coral feeder to make sure he gets every last bit.

One of my favorite inverts. I think you'll really enjoy having one.

 

[Paul B]

As was said they are filter feeders and a new tank such as yours will be tough for them. They filter water constantly and need to find tiny, floating food most of which is smaller than you can see. If you can keep that in the water they may be fine. I feed my tank clams and clams exude a lot of juice which is basically tiny particles.
I think I have 4 or 5 of them. Very cool creatures. Good luck

 

[Pkunk35]

As was said they are filter feeders and a new tank such as yours will be tough for them. They filter water constantly and need to find tiny, floating food most of which is smaller than you can see. If you can keep that in the water they may be fine. I feed my tank clams and clams exude a lot of juice which is basically tiny particles.
I think I have 4 or 5 of them. Very cool creatures. Good luck

Awesome pics paul! Do you find that they form pairs or territories in your tank? Any fighting between them?

 

[Paul B]

I have not seen them pair up but they don't always stay in the front. They find a spot and kind of stay there forever and it could be in the back someplace. No fighting.
I have trouble keeping any small crabs or shrimp that molt because I have way to many very large bristle worms and they eat them when they molt.

I really need to catch a lot of worms because I like my crabs better.

 

[TDDredge]

My clowns hosted after I got my crab funny enough.

They were like "what's this guy doing?" "Oh this is cool"

@Pkunk35 yeah so I got one and he uh, loves the hell out of the nem. Nem isn't entirely sure about this all yet, but it was bubbled up while being joyously hugged by crab. Have you ever seen a porcelain cause a nem to relocate? It's not always happy about this partnership so far, but other times it seems like it is.

 

[terraincognita]

I'm sure the nem will be just fine.

I've never had a nem relocate from a porcelain crab. If anything the nem probably thought he was food at first, but somehow Porcelain crabs are resistant to their nematocysts and dont stick at all.

I have seen my nems get irritated and close up certain parts now and then if the crab is pinching on a certain part trying to hang on with his hind legs.

Ultimately though the relationship is mutually beneficial.

 

[TDDredge]

I'm sure the nem will be just fine.

I've never had a nem relocate from a porcelain crab. If anything the nem probably thought he was food at first, but somehow Porcelain crabs are resistant to their nematocysts and dont stick at all.

I have seen my nems get irritated and close up certain parts now and then if the crab is pinching on a certain part trying to hang on with his hind legs.

Ultimately though the relationship is mutually beneficial.

Oh yeah there was some attempted eating on the nem's part at the beginning. Meanwhile the crab was so happy to be in a nem that it literally gathered up a bunch of tentacles and hugged the nem XD

 

[Nunanonine]

I have procelain crab in my 3G 2 months old tank!