Porcellanidae

Introduction

Typically known as Porcelain Crabs, these are crustaceans that superficially resemble a true crab. They get their name from the delicate colouring that can resemble white porcelain and the fact that they easily can drop a claw or leg. This is a defensive mechanism, allow the crab to escape if attacked or grabbed by a predator. The lost limb will regrow to full size after several molts.

Typically they are kept by marine aquarium hobbyists due to their tendancy to live on an anemone.

Feeding

They sweep the water for plankton, using their feathered arms like a net to capture the food particles as they float by.

Gallery

• 
  Neopetrolisthes maculata with its recent moult.
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  Neopetrolisthes maculata in an Entacmaea quadricolor
• 
  Two Neopetrolisthes maculata in an Entacmaea quadricolor
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  Neopetrolisthes maculata with eggs.
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  Neopetrolisthes maculata closeup of eggs.