These coral hermit crabs have each adopted
abandoned holes in the reef, probably created by tube
worms. They feed on passing plankton, caught with their
long, feathered antennae. These specimens are each only
about 1/2 inch long. One characteristic of these creatures is the right cheliped (claw) is always larger than the left. Coral hermits often occupy dozens of holes in close proximity along a section of reef. Identification: Paguritta sp. (genus Paguritta, species unknown) |