General Description

Left claw (cheliped) much larger than right. Claws (chelipeds) and first and second walking legs (pereopods 2 and 3) with outer faces ornamented with transverse striae fringed with short setae. Red and white rings around eyes, red and white stripes on carapace and legs. Claws with blue-purple stripes. Up to 14 cm total length.

Biology

Hermit crabs are scavengers on dead shells and fishes but may be able to catch and feed on crabs and other living animals. They can find food using chemical stimuli. The antennae have "smell detectors" which detect chemicals that stimulate food searching behaviour. When similar detectors on the legs contact food the claws quickly grasp it and pass it into the mouth.

Habitat

Low intertidal, to depths of 200 m.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Mediterranean and Red Seas, Indo-West Pacific including Japan and New Zealand, and Australia.

Species Group

Hermit Crabs

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

14 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

MoV 1709

Conservation Status

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