This is the Ciliopagurus strigatus or Halloween Hermit Crab
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Happy Halloween!! This is the Halloween Hermit crab also known as a cone shell hermit crab. If you prefer the genus and species, than this is the Ciliopagurus strigatus.
The hermit crab is festive looking and that is how it earned the name Halloween hermit crab. It has bright orange and red striped legs that almost look like stockings. This particular hermit crab is one of the more colorful species.
They are decapods, meaning they have 5 pairs of legs.
These legs are adapted to living inside empty gastropod shells. The first set of legs has claws which aid in defense. If the crab feels threatened, the crab will use these claws to seal themselves into their shell. They are also useful in feeding. The second and third set of legs are used to help the crab walk. The last two pairs of legs are used to help the crab hold onto its shell.
As a crab, they must go through a molting phase to grow.
When this happens, the crab will need to search for a new larger home or shell. Without a shell the crab is quite vulnerable and will want to find a shell quickly. It has even been witnessed that a larger crab will use its claws to pull out a smaller or weaker crab if it wants that particular shell. By changing their habitat and using discarded/empty shells these crabs can be considered ecosystem engineers.
They are seen during the daytime and found generally in shallow waters less than 50 feet in depth.
The Halloween Hermit Crab can grow up to 2” in length. Contrary to the name hermit, these crabs are actually fairly social. This crab is an omnivore and will scavenge and eat anything from algae to dead organic material to meat. They are secondary consumers, which means that they transfer energy and nutrients to the upper levels of the food chain. So although they are small, they are large contributors to the marine ecosystem.
The image above was taken during a Private Ocean Project Maui Snorkel Tour.
This colorful image was taken off a West Maui Beach by the dedicated staff of Ocean Project Maui. They offer custom, private snorkel tours around the island of Maui, Hawaii. Each #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN image you see in our monthly blog, was captured during a private guided snorkel tour. These amazing images, as well as images above and below the water of the clients/supporters are included in every tour at no additional cost.
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