Maximum length: 10 cm

All species of this genus are large and very colourful.

They use empty snail shells as shelter.

Photo 1: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi

Photo 2: Hurghada Egypt

 Legs and claws reddish-yellow ringed, with white flattened carapace.

Lives on algae-covered limestone rocks of reef roofs and lagoons as well as on rubble,

down to a depth of 20 metres.

It prefers to eat Conus snails, whose shells it then also takes.

Bangka island Nord Sulawesi

Maximum size: 5 cm

Depth: 2 - 100 m

In left-handed hermit crabs, the left claw is usually larger than the right.

They use them to close the opening of the snail shell perfectly.

The large left claw is completely covered with small bumps,

which is a distinguishing feature from similar species.

The eyestalks are white and have a central red band.

It lives together with the anemone Calliactis polypus,

which is placed on the snail shell and is always taken along.

The anemone releases sticky threads when disturbed,

which helps the hermit crab to protect itself from attackers.

The anemones provide good camouflage between rocks and corals.

In return, these anemones get scraps of the hermit crab's food from

and they piggyback into new feeding areas.

There is a possibility of confusion with the similarly colored Dardanus pedunculatus,

whose large claw is not completely covered with cusps.

Bangka island North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 10 cm

Depth: 0 - 50 m

This species can grow considerably larger than its “relatives”, about the size of a tennis ball.

Scavengers, but also active hunters, hunting snails, mussels, small invertebrates and small fish.

They constantly need new snail shells as they grow.

Bangka island North Sulawesi

 Maximum length: 3 cm

Eyestalk white with black eyes.

Yellow antennae.

Lives in shells with a wide opening.

Photos 1 - 2: Hurghada Egypt

Photos 3 - 4: Embudu Maldives

 Maximum length: 3 cm

Maximum length: - 20 cm

Depth: 0 - 50 m

This hermit is very strong and tears many corals and algae from their home.

Snails and hermits are mortal enemies, as the hermits are constantly growing,

they are always on the lookout for new homes.

The molluscs are eaten and the shell is occupied.

Once the hermit has found a new home, the other one can be removed.

Photo 1: Bangka island Nord Sulawesi

Photos 2 - 4: Hurghada Egypt

 Maximum length: 10 cm 

Left claw much larger than the right.

It lives on land and rubble and is nocturnal.

It carries anemones on its shell for defence.

If it needs a larger shell, take the anemones with you when you move.

Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi

Maximum size: 1.2 cm

Depth: 0 - 50 m

Shield reddish-brown, with small bright red or orange-blue spots

on the front and rear corners.

Rear carapace mottled red and light brown.

Ocular peduncles uniformly purplish-brown with a narrow yellow line next to the black cornea.

Antennae and antennae yellowish-brown.

Chelipedes reddish - purple with white tubercles,

bright red or orange - blue spot on the carpus,

bristles reddish - purple with white tips.

Pereopods 2 and 3 reddish - purple; large bright red spot on the carpus;

bristles reddish - purple with white tips.

Habitat: Reefs, seagrass meadows, reef slopes,

on coralline, sandy and muddy-sandy substrates.

Bangka island North Sulawesi 

 Maximum size: 2.5 cm

Bright red, some with white dots and greenish eyes on pale stalks.

During the day in small groups in the reef. 

Shy, when approached they retreat into their shell,

but if you wait patiently they come out again after a while.

Bonaire Caribbean

 Maximum size: 0.4 cm

Depth: 1 - 190 m

Left claw usually larger than the right.

The size of 0.4 refers to the carapace length.

Bonaire Caribbean

 Maximum size: 1.80 - 2.50 cm

Depth: 0 - 50 m

These crabs need the shells of gastropods ( shell snails ) for their protection.

As the crayfish grows, it needs a new, larger home,

and as there are many species of crayfish,

there are sometimes disputes about who gets to live where.

Once the crayfish has found a new home, it pulls its abdomen out of the old shell

and very quickly puts it into the new home.

Very quickly because it is very vulnerable and unprotected

from predators during the relocation period.

Bonaire Caribbean