Skip to main content
Today is World Oceans Day!
Close

Hydroid Decorator Crab, Decorator Arrow Crab

Hyastenus bispinosus

Photo by Eric Noora
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

13.803, 120.912

Field Notes

Description:

Small decorator crabs, like this one, are often found wearing snipped off tips of stinging hydroids on their heads to fend off predators. A commensal relationship exist between the H. bispinosus and a hydroid it choses to live in.

Notes:

A small decorator crab on a stinging hydroid Cypress Sea Fern (Aglaophenia cupressina) carrying some tips of the hydroid.

Spotted at Dive and Trek House Reef at a depth of about 9 m.

Reference Links:

Hyastenus bispinosus, Hydroid crab

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
Eric Noora
Thanks Argybee. Yup best sometimes to show some perspective especially for a creature as small as this. Thanks for the like
Mark Ridgway
Amazing Eric. So glad you put 4 pics so I could work out where it is :)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Global Coral Reef Monitoring
Mission
Symbiotic Relationships

Tags

Photographed
PublishedFebruary 11, 2012

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies