Porcelin Crab-good or bad

[Shekki]

I just discovered a tiny porcelin crab living in a clump of Acropora. Is he eating the polyps or just scavenging food when I'm not looking?

Robb

I'm pretty sure that's what I have. It's white with some red markings.

[hypermikie]

If he looks like this, he is a good guy! Mine hanging out on my GSP!

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n239/mikieh/Picture113.jpg

[mrongi1]

There are different types of porcelin crabs, but none that I know of that will eat corals. But there is a kind that lives in anemones if you have one. They will usually get forced out by clownfish. They usually feed on particulate matter in the water column. If you notice your acro closing its polyps for extended periods of time though I would remove him, he might be aggitating them.

[hypermikie]

Mine lived in my Green Bubble Tip Anem. for months, before he relocated for no apparent reason to the bottom on my GSP.

As you can see in the pic, my type doesn't bother the GSP as he stomps lightly around filter feeding...

[Shekki]

It's really hard to say exactly what he looks like. He's very small and I've yet to see him in the open. I guess if he gets bigger, he won't be able to hide in the Acro anymore.

Thanks,
Robb