Porcilean(sp?) crabs

Reefer31 · 03-21-2008, 03:44 AM

Hi all.

Recently I have observed small crabs crawling all over the rock I have obtained from the sea near my place.

I dont have any pics, but they have large, laterally compressed claws, more triangll-ish bodies than other crabs and I have observed them in crevices and overhanges when the current flows moving their (predipalps??? canot remember the names of them. the secondary arms near their mouth) through the water. These arms look to have little fans on them.

Now I have seen pics of Porcilean(spelling?) crabs but they have all been very colourfull. The ones I have are somewhat a drab green, but with electric blue under-arms.

Would what I have be porcilean crabs? And will they harm any corals or zoanthids etc when I get them? I have seen them scraping rocks with their claws seemingly eating algae, so I think they will be fine, but am not sure.

Thanks,
Reefer31

JP 1230 · 03-21-2008, 11:23 AM

Check out this website....
You may find the guy your talking about...

Crab Hitch Hikers

SubRosa · 03-22-2008, 12:36 PM

If you are in FL they are probably porcelains.However unlike the Indo-Pacific type that is more commonly seen those don't host in anemones.

John

Reefer31 · 03-22-2008, 07:57 PM

I live in eastern Australia. We get a big mix of tropical and subtropical species through here. These definatly dont live with anemones. I cant see anything that looks like mine on that site, but Im almost definate they are porcelline crabs though.

Good to know they are reef-safe, fascinating as they are.

Cheers,
Reefer31

amc78cj7 · 03-24-2008, 07:42 PM

The electric blue underarms sounds like a porcelain to me. They shouldn't harm anything but need either to be fed or have plankton in your tank.

Here's a pic of mine, you can sort of see the electric blue underarms. He moves around quick like a spider:

03-21-2008, 03:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Reefer31 Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Porcilean(sp?) crabs Hi all. Recently I have observed small crabs crawling all over the rock I have obtained from the sea near my place. I dont have any pics, but they have large, laterally compressed claws, more triangll-ish bodies than other crabs and I have observed them in crevices and overhanges when the current flows moving their (predipalps??? canot remember the names of them. the secondary arms near their mouth) through the water. These arms look to have little fans on them. Now I have seen pics of Porcilean(spelling?) crabs but they have all been very colourfull. The ones I have are somewhat a drab green, but with electric blue under-arms. Would what I have be porcilean crabs? And will they harm any corals or zoanthids etc when I get them? I have seen them scraping rocks with their claws seemingly eating algae, so I think they will be fine, but am not sure. Thanks, Reefer31

03-21-2008, 11:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
JP 1230 Bryozoan Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 59 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Porcilean(sp?) crabs Check out this website.... You may find the guy your talking about... Crab Hitch Hikers

03-22-2008, 12:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
SubRosa Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 354 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Porcilean(sp?) crabs If you are in FL they are probably porcelains.However unlike the Indo-Pacific type that is more commonly seen those don't host in anemones. John __________________ Life is a comedy to those who think and a tragedy to those who feel.HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

03-22-2008, 07:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Reefer31 Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Porcilean(sp?) crabs I live in eastern Australia. We get a big mix of tropical and subtropical species through here. These definatly dont live with anemones. I cant see anything that looks like mine on that site, but Im almost definate they are porcelline crabs though. Good to know they are reef-safe, fascinating as they are. Cheers, Reefer31

03-24-2008, 07:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
amc78cj7 Limpet Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St. Louis Posts: 148 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Porcilean(sp?) crabs The electric blue underarms sounds like a porcelain to me. They shouldn't harm anything but need either to be fed or have plankton in your tank. Here's a pic of mine, you can sort of see the electric blue underarms. He moves around quick like a spider:

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)