General Description
Right claw (cheliped) larger than left, with strong ridge on palm (propodus). Palm triangular in cross-section and scarcely rotated with respect to 5th segment (carpus). Red with whitish bands on claws and legs. Carapace up to 5 mm long.
Biology
The legs and claws of this small species are candy-striped white and red and are relatively thin, but more important for species identification is the triangular cross-section of the left smaller claw (cheliped), resulting from a strong ridge on its outside. This species is especially common in Bass Strait.
Habitat
Intertidal, to depths of 14-128 m.
Reefs
Soft substrates
Distribution guide
Southern temperate oceans, including south-eastern and eastern Australia.
Species Group
Depth
Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)
Water Column
Max Size
5 mm
Diet
Organic matter
Commercial Species
No
Global Dispersal
Recorded in Australia
Species Code
MoV 1591
Conservation Status
- DSE Advisory List : Not listed
- EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
- IUCN Red List : Not listed
Author
Dr. Jo Taylor is the Sciences Collections Online Coordinator at Museum Victoria.
Author
Dr. Gary Poore is Principal Curator Emeritus at Museum Victoria.
Cite this page as:
Taylor, J. & Poore, G.C.B., 2011, Dwarf Hermit Crab, Lophopagurus nanus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 20 Jul 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5466
