General Description

Claws (chelipeds) subequal, with setae covering spines along upper-lateral margin; fifth segment (carpus) with distal rounded knob (boss) on upper surface. First and second walking legs (pereopods 2 and 3) with dense fringes of setae. Moveable plate attached to base of eye stalks (ocular scales) with 2 spines. Up to 2 cm total length.

Biology

'Pugil' means fighter and the two smooth boxing glove-like knobs on top of the wrist of the otherwise spiny claws give this small species its name. Like all hermit crabs this one must compete with others of its kind and other species for dead snail shells. Individuals change shells more frequently than is simply necessary for growth and fight each other over possession.

Habitat

Low intertidal, to depths of 69 m.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Southern temperate oceans, including south-eastern 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

2 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Harmful

Not harmful but a nip from large claws could be painful

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

MoV 697

Conservation Status

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