Cone Shell Hermit Crab

The Halloween hermit crab is commonly found along coral substrates in the ocean, along sandy areas surrounding reefs, but not typically on top of the reefs, in shallow (less than 50 feet or 15 metres) tropical, coastal waters. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea and Hawaii. It is very similar in appearance to three other species in the same genus: C. tricolor, C. vakovako, and C. galzini, only distinguishable by the color of its striae. The Halloween hermit crab typically grows to 2 inches (5.1 cm) in length, which is fairly large in comparison to other hermit crabs. It has a noticeably flattened, pure white shield, about .315 inches (8 mm) long. It is a nocturnal species, and has been described as "conspicuous". It lives primarily in empty cone shells, mainly those of snails or tritons. Like other hermit crabs, it wears shells to protect itself from predators. Its ocular peduncles and antennae are a solid orange and the antennal flagella are transparent. The propodus has parallel ridges on the palm, with similar ridges on the dactyls (the movable part of the pincers). The Halloween hermit crab can live for up to 10 years.

Coloration. The Halloween hermit crab is well known for its distinct and vibrant coloration. …