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Allogalathea elegans
Also known as Elegant Squat Lobster and Feather Star Squat Lobster. This is a commensal creature, living on the arms of crinoids or feather stars. They feed on zooplankton, and grow to a length of about 2cm. Their bodies are egg-shaped and their colors and body patterns match their hosts'.
Found in the arms of feather stars on coral and rocky reefs, at depths of 5 to 30m. Widespread in the Indo-West Pacific region.
This critter was on a feather star (whose color and gold-striped arms it matched) when we spotted it, off the coast of Dayang Beach, Talikud Island, Samal, Philippines. [Update] Video taken on 7 July 2012, at the same dive site.
Spotted on Apr 28, 2012
Submitted on Apr 29, 2012
4 Comments
Hi Dixie! Wow, thanks very much for your very flattering comment! :)
Gracias! ありがとうございます！謝謝！Merci beaucoup! :)
I've updated this spotting with a video.
Thanks Alice & Renato! :)
Interesting!