Shrimp (or crab) in a christmas tree rock

[KurtsReef]

So, anyone have any idea what it is? This is living in a worm hole inside a christmas tree rock I picked up today.

Very neat little crab or shrimp, long antennae that it seems to use to scoop food into its hole with.

This is the best shot I got of the little critter

This is a good shot of the antennae

And a better shot of the claws.

 

[davidandliz]

cant see the pics

 

[Necsones]

wow nice camera

 

[LeslieH]

That's the rock dwelling hermit crab Paguritta harmsi. Unlike most hermit crabs Paguritta species have straight abdomens & live in permanent burrows in the rock, usually old christmas tree worm holes. They filter feed with their antennae and are completely reef safe.

 

[KurtsReef]

Thanks Leslie.

He/she is very interesting to watch, will enjoy having it around.

 

[dendro982]

Nice!
What is the camera, capable to take so detailed pictures of so small objects?
Thanks.

 

[KurtsReef]

Thanks

These were all taken with a Nikon D3 and Nikon 105mm macro lens (older model, not a VR or anything). No extension tubes were used or any teleconverters so these are all pretty heavily cropped from full frame.

 

[mokeyz]

that is a great hitchhiker - you're very lucky. enjoy him!

 

[Leviathan_XE]

Very cool, I see these things all the time in the porites at my lfs and wondered what the heck they were. They have some great colors on them.

 

[LeslieH]

If it's a male some night it may decide to go wander around in search of a female. Poor lonely crabbie.......

 

[KurtsReef]

I keep looking to see if there is another one in the rock, its rather large and plenty of holes....have not noticed a second one yet.

 

[dendro982]

My Xmas tree rock's filter feeding crab disappeared with time, now bristle worm is in it's burrow...

 

[fnvarner]

if you want to get rid of him let me know

 

[iamwhatiam52]

I like the crabs more than the worms.

I like the crabs more than the worms.

Sorry Leslie, I love the woims too.
I just bought a xmass tree rock only because it had several crabs! I find the crabs more interesting than the worms. One I've had for 2 years takes mysids from my fingers.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/125081tiny-crab-with-dime.jpg

 

[Leilani57]

I've got one of these guys in my christmas tree worm rock too, they are super cool!