Not furry either, still lovely.
Porcelain Crab
Neopetrolisthes maculatus
Also called Anemone porcelain crab, Porcelain anemone crab, Small-dot anemone crab, Spotted porcelain crab
From Shallow tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, usually 1-10 m deep, living among the tentacles of sea anemones.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
LiveAquaria gives a maximum size of about 3 in (7.6 cm); the sources do not say exactly how this is measured, and Wikipedia gives no figure.
Looks how to spot one
Smooth, glossy exoskeleton
A small, rounded crab with a shiny shell that looks like glazed china, which is where the name comes from. It has a pair of large, flat claws and long feathery fans on its mouthparts. Only three pairs of walking legs show, as the last pair is tucked against the body.14
Personality what they are like
Calm and peaceful with most tankmates. It guards its home anemone and may chase other porcelain crabs or even clownfish away from it, using its big claws for show rather than for eating.13
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Mostly stays put in or near its host anemone, sweeping the water with its feeding fans. It does not need to roam a lot of space.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Rated easy to keep. Needs stable reef water; LiveAquaria recommends keeping calcium, magnesium, iodine and trace elements at reef levels so it can moult well. Do not house it with larger, pushy crabs.3
Home where they are happiest
A marine reef aquarium, ideally with a host sea anemone, though it can manage without one. LiveAquaria gives 72-78 °F (about 22-26 °C), pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12 and specific gravity 1.023-1.025. No minimum tank size was given by the sources.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A suspension feeder that combs plankton and fine particles from the water with feathery mouthpart fans. It also takes mucus from its anemone. In aquariums, offer fine planktonic foods and small sinking tablets.123
Company who they like around
Usually found as one pair per anemone. Keep with peaceful tankmates and avoid adding several porcelain crabs that would compete for the same anemone.13
The story where it all began
Henri Milne-Edwards named this crab in 1837 under the genus Porcellana. It was later moved to Neopetrolisthes, and a Japanese name from 1937 was folded into it as a synonym. It has become a familiar reef aquarium crab because of its pretty spotted shell and gentle filter feeding.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Despite the name, porcelain crabs are not true crabs; they are closer relatives of squat lobsters that evolved a crab-like shape.4
- 2
Its large claws are not used to eat; food is swept in by bristly fans on the mouthparts that open and close like nets.1
- 3
Porcelain crabs can drop a leg to escape danger and grow it back over the next few moults.4
- 4
The porcelain crab family first appeared in the Late Jurassic, around 145-152 million years ago.4
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- First described by H. Milne-Edwards in 1837 as Porcellana maculata; now placed in Neopetrolisthes (family Porcellanidae). Neopetrolisthes ohshimai (Miyake, 1937) is treated as a synonym.1
- IUCN (via SeaLifeBase)
- Not Evaluated.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Porcelain Crab. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Porcelain Crab?
Feed your Porcelain Crab daily with fine planktonic foods or small sinking tablets. The exact amount depends on your tank's conditions, so check the food label and ask your vet for guidance.132 Furry Diary plan
What does a Porcelain Crab eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats plankton, fine particles, and mucus from its host anemone. In the tank, offer fine planktonic foods and small sinking tablets. Never feed it large or meaty foods that it cannot filter.132
How much space does a Porcelain Crab need?
No minimum tank size is given, but a marine reef aquarium with a host anemone is ideal. The crab stays near its anemone and does not need a lot of roaming space.32
What temperature, light or water does a Porcelain Crab need?
Keep water at 72-78°F, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12, and specific gravity 1.023-1.025. Stable reef water with proper calcium, magnesium, and iodine is important for molting. Furry Diary's plan includes weekly salinity checks and biweekly water changes.32 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Porcelain Crab's home?
Furry Diary suggests a 10-20% water change every two weeks, daily top-ups with fresh RO water, and weekly water tests. Monthly light checks are also recommended. Furry Diary plan
Can a Porcelain Crab live with others?
Yes, it is calm and peaceful with most tankmates, but it may chase other porcelain crabs or clownfish away from its anemone. Keep only one pair per anemone and avoid larger, pushy crabs.13
How long does a Porcelain Crab live?
Lifespan varies and is not specified in the sources. Ask your exotic-pet vet or a good breeder for more details.
Can I handle a Porcelain Crab?
Handling is not recommended as it can stress the crab and cause injury. It is best to admire it from a distance in its tank.13
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Neopetrolisthes maculatus (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, appearance, diet, behaviour, taxonomy
- Neopetrolisthes maculatus, SeaLifeBase sealifebase.seused for depth range, feeding, IUCN status
- Porcelain Anemone Crab, LiveAquaria liveaquaria.comused for care level, water parameters, size, temperament, diet
- Porcelain crab (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for body plan, limb regrowth, fossil age, fun facts
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.