Anemone Porcelain Crab

Neopetrolisthes maculatus is a stunning white porcelain crab covered in vivid red or orange spots that lives commensally within large sea anemones on Indo-Pacific reefs, gaining protection from the anemone's stinging tentacles. It feeds in an unusual way for a crab — using feathery, fan-like mouthparts to filter plankton and fine organic particles from the water current, rather than active predation. It is reef-safe and one of the very few filter-feeding crabs suited to established reef systems with compatible host anemones.

House in a reef aquarium (minimum 75 L) with a large host anemone (Entacmaea, Heteractis, or Stichodactyla) and stable reef parameters (pH 8.1–8.4, SG 1.023–1.025, temperature 23–27°C). Feed with fine particulate suspended foods (reef snow, phytoplankton, Rotifers) target-fed near the crab when it is actively filter-feeding. Keep as a bonded pair for best behaviour. Peaceful and fully reef-safe — a fascinating addition to any anemone-hosting reef.