Commensalism! Hermit crab and anenome.

[moshi1ry]

So i went over to a friends house to see his tank and he had something very interesting going on! The anemone had attached itself to the hermit crabs shell and literally rides around on it. I had never heard of this before and took a trip to the library and stumbled upon something that explained it! The book said it was commensalism? If i spelled that right prolly not! But apparently it happens pretty frequently in the wild. The relationship exists because the anemone can have faster transportation and get more food while the hermit crab gets protection, fascinating!
While this might be frequent in the wild has anyone else ever seen this go on in an aquarium...Wish i had a crab hosting anemone haha.

 

[westohooligan]

You sure it wasn't an aiptasia growing on the shell?

 

[moshi1ry]

No definitely not aipstasia haha it was a small BTA on his shell. He had just got it from a shipment of anemones. His tank is mainly anemones since thats what he likes to keep. Seems unusual but its not in the wild or so I have read. Just wondering if anyone else has seen anything like this.

 

[rathos]

liveaquaria was selling some hermits with anemones and I think they still are.

 

[yardboy]

Calliactis tricolor is an anemone found exclusively on hermit crab shells. A little research done here

They are pretty common here in North Florida in grassbeds and rockpiles.

Have seen aiptasia on hermit shells, with or without crabs inside. Wouldn't put it past a BTA, but I doubt it will stay on very long as the hermit can sometimes spend time in rock piles where there is little light. Ya never know though.

 

[moshi1ry]

Very cool ive never seen an anenome like that. I have asked my friend to send me a picture of his crab and bta so when i get that ill make sure to post it up. Fyi this is all interesting to me because i am a marine science major haha.

 

[yardboy]

Good luck with marine science! I hope you have a vivid imagination because the marine world will stretch your mind to it's limits. Anything seems possible!