Porcelain Crab loves to hide...

We acquired a 1 1/2" porcelain crab from the lfs a little over a week ago. He's been hiding ever since. He was under one rock, and after shifting the rock around one day (trying to get a better look at him), he moved to another rock, still hanging upside down. He actively filters at feeding time, but I'd love to see him sitting on top of a rock like he did at the lfs. Is this the old "bait & switch?"... looking all cute and active in the store and hiding once we've adopted him? I don't think he's being bullied.

Is there anyway to get him to sit on top of a rock? Is he still acclimating to the new tank, or is this a normal behavior for a porcelain crab? "Tanks" a lot! ;D

 

I'd say it is about normal for them to be hanging under rocks. Could also be acclimating to the tank.

 

Thanks duoc9119. I'm really hoping he'll come out. I am tempted to move the rock he's under now, but I don't want to stress him out.

 

Yea I mean ultimately he is going to do what he wants to do, I say let him be. I wish I could see my starfish all day everyday unfortunately he doesn't read my mind ;D Im sure he will come out more when he gets used to his new home! good luck!

 

I have about 4 or 5 of them that hitchhiked in my live rock, I only see them at night every once in a while. they rarely sit on top of rocks to fan for food. even at my work we have a small acrylic cube inside one of the tanks that we put all of the porcelain crabs we find in the live rock bin in, it has a piece of rock in the cube and they all cram under it all day

 

What??? I thought I bought the mind reading kind!

 

Thanks tattooedsoul for the insight. I'll just be happy with watching him while leaning over and craning my neck at feeding time. ;D

 

lol ya when I first noticed I had them in my tank I watched them for a long time, I find them so amusing to watch when they are fanning for food. its ashame they are so shy. same with my pistol shrimp, its so funny to watch them dig but they can also be very shy

 

So did I ... the LFS must have lied

 

I was just checking out the tank with a flashlight after the lights went off. I just caught a glimpse of him coming out from under the rock, and I scared him with the flashlight. Dangit!