General Description
Left claw (cheliped) much larger than right, sixth segment (propodus) grossly tuberculate. Rostrum short, not exceeding lateral projections. Colour in life unknown. Carapace up to 5 mm long.
Biology
Many specimens of this small species are associated with colonies of encrusting bryozoans which surround the mouth of the shell in which the animal lives.
Habitat
Shallow subtidal, to depths of 60 m.
Soft substrates
Seagrass meadows
Distribution guide
Southern temperate oceans, including south-eastern Australia.
Species Group
Depth
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 696
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, Friendly Hermit Crab, Areopaguristes tuberculatus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 07 Jun 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5462
