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Halimeda Decorator Crab

Huenia heraldica

Photo by AlbertKang
Published on Project Noah
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13.688, 120.892

Field Notes

Description:

This is a small Decorator Crab, around 1.5cm in size that lives exclusively on Halimeda algae. Its green color is a blends in perfectly with the Halimeda algae but as if that is not enough, it will cut off pieces of the Halimeda algae to attached to its shell/carapace to make it even more difficult to see.

Habitat:

Shallow coral reefs where there are Halimeda Algae

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
AlbertKang
Yes, @Chun, that piece on top of its head is part of the Halimeda aglae which it has cut and 'glued' to its body. Usually, they have 2 pieces of that.
ChunXingWong
I have always been fascinated with Decorator Crabs, this one is truly awesome! Is that large piece sticking on it's hind a part of the algae it collects ?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Global Coral Reef Monitoring
Mission
Mimetic Animals of the World
Mission
Crustacea Filipiniana
Mission
Philippine Wildlife
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project

Tags

Photographed
PublishedMarch 31, 2014

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