A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Xenocarcinus conicus
Identified by its host, the branching black coral (Antipathes sp.), X. conicus is able to transfer living matter from its host onto its carapace and leg joints for camouflage.
Typically found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Spotted these critters on a bush-like coral at a depth of probably 12m during a day dive. There were two of them: the first 2 photos show one, and the other two show the other. The latter seems to have thicker appendages, and you can just make out the claw in the 3rd photo. (Just to be sure you can see the critter clearly, the 3rd & 4th photo shows it hanging upside down.)
Spotted on Mar 3, 2012
Submitted on Mar 7, 2012
15 Comments
Came across more information, and now I think this is X. conicus and not X. tuberculatus. Sheesh... identifying marine critters is such a challenge! :D
Updated this spotting. I do believe this is X. turberculatus. I hope others can confirm it.
I hope so too, Eric. I've emailed WhatsThatFish.com about this already, but no reply yet. I must say, however, that usually they're pretty reliable when it comes to ID'ing critters. But of course, nobody's perfect. :)
Well just that like you I have yet to find anything similar when googling I. edwardsi or Edward's Purse Crab. Except that from Whats that Fish site which is the same pic as above. Maybe others can help verify this then...
Yeah it is, Eric, but I don't quite agree with them yet...
Hi Blogie. So is it confirmed that this is an Ixa edwardsi? You photo is already uploaded in the link in Whats that Fish site as such.
Incredible!
Thanks for the suggestion, nigel.brennan. However, are you positive that this is Ixa edwardsi? I googled that species and I got pictures of crab that look a lot different from this one...
You're welcome :-)
Thanks for the heads-up, Eric! I think it might be X. tuberculatus, but that species seems to prefer whip coral... I'll keep looking.
Hi Blogie. This might be a spider crab. Try checking the Xenocarcinus species - just not sure which - X. depressus, X. conicus or X. tuberculatus :-)
Will do, Leuba!
I am no expert on crustaceans but it looks a little too robust for a shrimp especially the carapace - but you must have seen many different shrimps in your time!. It reminds me of a modified spider crab - seems to have a slightly broader posterior part ? - I hope you find out what it is - will be interested to know.
LOL Leuba! :D
Your observations are all correct. Don't know if it's not a good swimmer, but I do believe it only crawls on the coral's stalks. Very interesting about its eyes, no? Makes me think now that it might be a shrimp instead...
I can make out the legs and perhaps a fat claw ( pic 3) - the legs have hooky ends(pic 1). May not be a good swimmer ? This crustacean appears to have a narrow body (pic 3) with a pointy anterior part of the carapace. I think I can make out an eye on the side of the pointy bit and it is not on a stalk ! When you find out, you can tell me if any of this is right.
I think you've made-up this whole thing, Blogie ....seriously, you do find such amazing creatures. Well done and thanks for sharing.