Caribbean Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Coenobita clypeatus
- Common name
- Caribbean Hermit Crab
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Coenobitidae
- Genus
- Coenobita
- Size
- 3–7 cm
- Depth
- 0–5 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sandy-bottom, seagrass-meadow
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Coenobita clypeatus reaches 7 cm. Caribbean terrestrial hermit crab (Coenobitidae). Bright orange-red carapace, carries gastropod shell. Bound to sandy coastal zones, mangroves, seagrass areas. Diurnal-active. Solitary-social in groups. Minimally threatened = LC. Highly popular in aquarium and brackish water terrarium hobby.
Photo of Caribbean Hermit Crab
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Caribbean Hermit Crab?
- Caribbean Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus) reaches 3–7 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Caribbean Hermit Crab?
- Caribbean Hermit Crab is found between 0–5 m deep.
- Is the Caribbean Hermit Crab dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Caribbean Hermit Crab?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Caribbean Hermit Crab?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Coenobita
Other species in the family Coenobitidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 368191)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5178542)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia