Creature Feature: Anemone Hermit Crab

Anemone hermit crab. Photo Credit: Andy Collins

The anemone hermit crab (Dardanus brachyops) is common in deeper waters of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. It lives throughout the Indo-pacific in depths greater than 100 feet and can grow to a length of over 8 inches, the second largest hermit crab in the Hawaiian archipelago. The crab typically attaches two types of anemone to its shell, one type inside and one outside. The crab benefits from this arrangement by getting some protection from the stinging cells of the anemone as well as camoflage. The anemone benefits by collecting scraps of food from the sloppy eating of the crab. When crabs grow and exchange their shells for larger ones they will often bring the anemones with them.