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Achaeus japonicus
Also known as Orang-utan Crab, Granchio Orang-utan, Orangutang Spider Crab, Hairy Spider Crab, Hairy Crab, and Bubble Coral Crab. This species of crab is hairy all over for the purpose of camouflage. They feed on plankton and invertebrates, and grow to about 1.2cm in length.
Found on coral and rocky reefs, often associated with bubble coral. Widespread in the Western Indo-Pacific region.
It's not as hairy as other orangutan crabs I've seen. Spotted this during a day dive at Dayang Beach, Talikud Island, in about 60 feet of water. It was about as big as a bottle cap.
Spotted on Mar 17, 2012
Submitted on Mar 19, 2012
4 Comments
Thanks, Gerardo! :)
Wow wonderful series so is the video!
i can see why is calling Orangutan
Updated this spotting with a video.
Thanks for confirming the species ID, nigel.brennan!