Another ID :) (good one for crustacean lovers)

[Glove]

Just wondering if there is a certain species of crab / shrimp type animal that prefers to live in porites coral / worm rock.
I found a small piece at a LFS labeled as ‘worm rock’, but they didn’t notice this piece has a crab in it, not a Christmas tree worm.
I thought it was cool and bought it. I figure I could give the little crab some food when I target feed the other stuff.
I thought it was unique until I see “Diamondhead” posted a shot of one in the photography forum.
Seeing this made me question what type of crustacean these guys are. Personally I thought mine was a tiny pistol shrimp but his was labeled as a commensal hermit.
Obviously it will tough to get a picture with the whole body as the two eyestalks, two antennae, and two claws are about all I have seen so far.

Picture from Diamondhead …

and another from my tank...

 

[Glove]

According to the great greenbean these are Paguritta.

A google search turned up a few more pics, not much info other than being filter feeders that live in corals.

Pretty sweet, I will be sure to target the little fella.

 

[LeslieH]

Paguritta vittata. Your photo shows very well the long hairs on the antennae that the hermit uses to sweep food out of the water. Unlike other hermits which have curled bodies that fit into snail shells the body on this guy is straight. Too bad you don't have a male & a female. When it's time to mate the male will crawl out of his hole (which is an old christmas tree worm burrow) & head over to the female. It will take a lot of feeding - these guys are used to constantly filtering food.

 

[Trip 22]

That is the coolest thing I have seen! Great pics.

 

[iamwhatiam52]

Love this little guy!

Love this little guy!

The coral and worms on my christmass tree rock died, but I've kept the ugly rock for a year because it has one of these crabs. COOOOOOOOOOOOL! Pictures do not do them justice.
This little guy is so bold I can hand feed him.

 

[LeslieH]

Nice. this one looks like Paguritta harmsi.

 

[charlesr1958]

Just about over a year ago, I collected a small "worm rock" which still has a few Xmas tree worms in it. At the time of collection I never noticed the paguritta crabs that were in a few of the empty worm tubes. A year later, most of the worms are still doing okay, but I now have twice the number of crabs, without enough empty tubes to go around, I found a few small crabs had formed their own homes by going under the zoanthid mat's edge that is on top of the rock. Very interesting critters and adds a nice touch of diversity. That and they are one of the few crab species that are well behaved.

Chuck

 

[tedmc2]

That is so cool. What a nice find.