General Description

Body red-brown with hairs on the legs and claws. Eyes blue. Up to 13 cm long (carapace).

Biology

Stridulating Hermit Crabs flex and extend parts of their claws to produce a sound to scare away predators and other crabs. They eat plant and animal matter, as well as shellfish. They are the largest hermit crab in Victorian offshore waters.

Habitat

Reef and seaweed areas, to depths greater than 130 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Hermit Crabs

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

13 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Not harmful but a nip from large claws could be painful

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 3852

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed