Elegant Squat Lobster

Description:

Also known as Crinoid Squat Lobster and Feather Star Squat Lobster. They feed on zooplankton, and grow to a length of about 2cm.

Habitat:

Found in the arms of Feather Stars on coral and rocky reefs. Widspread in the Western Indo-Pacific region.

Notes:

We were doing a clean-up dive where a fishing net had been discarded over a coral reef when we spotted this tiny squat lobster. The first two photos show the offensive net in the background. It was fortunate that my dive buddy spotted this critter!