Petrolisthes galathinus

(Bosc, 1802)

Porcelain Crab

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean to Panama.

Size: 1 inch (2 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal reefs and seen in association with large barrel sponges.

General Husbandry: Rarely available in the trade.

Also generally called a 'Porcelain Crab,' but only a suspension feeder and does not coexist with anemones.

No intervention by the aquarist is necessary to maintain this species.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Malacostraca

Subclass: Eumalacostraca

Order: Decapoda

Superfamily: Galatheoidea

Family: Porcellanidae

Genus: Petrolisthes

FYI: Basically a brownish-white with an irregular pattern of red spots/short lines.

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Omnivore/Suspension feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)