The Porcelain Crab is an exquisite reef safe crab and is a very peaceful animal. They have a round flat body with two large claws and a pair of maxillipeds which are used to catch plankton in the water column. The Porcelain Crab really does well in groups and is mostly grazers. They graze over the rock and therefore it is advisable to keep some live rocks in your aquarium. The Porcelain Crab mainly feeds on algae and enjoys grazing and hiding on rocks. They are light blue in color and are covered with small red spots with orange tipped legs that make it a very unique addition to any reef tank. The Porcelain Crab safely conceals itself by rocks and filters the water for planktonic food. Not only this, it also scavenges for large meaty portions.The Porcelain Crab can be fed with shrimp or meaty food, as well as foods designed for filter feeders. It is basically a suspension feeder that collects plankton by waving its thoracic appendages, equipped with brushes through the water. The Porcelain Crab belongs to the Porcellanidae family, and is very similar to true crabs but they are closer to hermit crab. Also, they have much longer antennae than true crabs. The Porcelain Crab has very large and prominent pincers. They have three pair of walking legs with third pair of maxillipeds modified into large feathery brushes that are used for filter feeding.
The Porcelain Crab is a small dark crab with flat claws. These crabs feed by extending their maxillipeds, which are designed to catch plankton which they then transfer to their mouths. These are great little crabs for any reef aquarium. They will spend most of their time in the comfort of rock crevices. Porcelain Crabs can be kept in large groups if enough rockwork is present. They should be provided an aquarium with a good water flow.Crabs belong to the Class Crustacea and Order Decapoda. Hermits and Porcelain Crabs belong to the Section Anomura, which consists of long antennae and three pair of walking legs. The head of the Crab is connected to the thorax and covered by a shell called carapace. They have a smaller abdomen and tail compared to Shrimp and they keep this tucked beneath the carapace. The first pair of their legs are usually developed claws which they use to gather food, use as protection, and to move objects. In order for Crabs to grow they need to shed their exoskeleton, a process called "molting", which allows them to remove their restricting shell and begin a new one. Often times in the home aquarium Crabs will leave this translucent shell in full view so it can serve as a distraction while the Crab finds a hiding place and allows its new shell to harden. Hermit Crabs use abandoned shells as their home. These Crabs usually have extended abdomens that they wrap around the inside of the spiraling shell leaving only their head and claws exposed. When approached these Crabs can recoil into the shell for protection. When a Hermit Crab grows it will often seek out a new larger shell.