The incredible Pom Pom Crab!

AKA Boxer Crab these are amazing little creatures although I have never kept one.... yet:)
the amazing case of symbiosis, this crab holds small Anemones in its claws and waves them at a potential threat as if it is boxing. These tiny anemones reportedly have potent stinging abilities, it also uses its “pom poms” to collect detritus, which it then feeds on. the anemones benefit from being waved in the water column when food is passing by.
this crab is beautifully marked with striped legs and bold markings. The anemones are dropped during molting but are retrieved once this process is complete.
lab studies have shown that a crab that loses one anemone will attempt to split the other into two regenerated clones, a method used by humans to propagate larger anemones.
They may be kept in groups and females will produce reddish colored egg masses that they carry on their abdomens. The pelagic larvae are called zoea.
Omnivore. Will feed on detritus and small food particles that it picks off the substrate or that adhere to its anemone partner. its a good idea to target feed with finely chopped, meaty foods. Without sufficient food, the anemones may not survive.

Boy they are really cute. Thanks for the info.

They are really cool! Maybe a way to add an anemone and a crab to your tank. Wonder how hard it is to find one that has two nems?

Live Aquaria has them.