Dardanus megistos

(Herbst, 1804)

Vernacular names
English : White-spotted hermit-crab
French : Bernard-l’ermite à points blancs

Classification
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Diogenidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Very large hermit-crab species reaching a body length up to 25 cm. Large arms. Whole body and arms covered with very thick erect reddish hairs. Long white antennae. Body is orange-red, covered with small black-edged white spots.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, from Red Sea and East Africa to South Japan, Australia and Pacific islands. Lives in coral reefs and lagoons, occasionally down to more than 100 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is apparently very common and has a huge range. It doesn’t seem to face any threats. Collection for aquarium trade is minimal.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Crustaceans and Horseshoe Crabs” page