Pom Pom Crab

The pom pom crab is a small crab rarely exceeding 2 cm, with a body bearing a mosaic pattern of pink-brown lines on a cream background. Its real fame comes from the tiny anemones it carries in its two claws: when threatened it holds them out and waves them like boxing gloves or pom-poms, protecting itself with the anemones' stinging tentacles. The anemones also feed on the crab's food scraps. A crab that loses one of its anemones can split the remaining one in two to get two "gloves" again. Specimens in the trade are wild-collected.

• At least 40 liters; live rock with plenty of caves. In large aquariums it gets lost among the rocks and is rarely seen.
• Salinity 1.023–1.026 specific gravity, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe with caution: the crab leaves corals alone, but the anemones it carries may lightly sting delicate corals in its path.
• It should be acclimated by the drip method for at least 1 hour; copper-based medications are lethal.

Omnivorous; it uses its anemones to collect small particles from the water and the bottom. Finely chopped mysis, brine shrimp and small granules should be given a few times a week. If the crab is not fed enough, its anemones also shrink and may die.

Peaceful and shy; it stays in caves during the day and is more active at night. It does not attack other animals.

Good companions: gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, clownfish; sexy shrimp, snails.

Avoid: quarrelsome crabs such as the emerald crab and large hermit crabs; hawkfish, wrasses, triggerfish and pufferfish.