Shortfinger Hermit

The Shortfinger Hermit has legs and claw arms in shades of tan, reddish brown, and lavender with scattered short bristles. Its antennae show clear banding. The eyestalks are long and pale, becoming narrower toward the reddish or pink eyes. The legs may have short brown bands.

This tiny Hermit Crab is sometimes found near Octopus dens, where it acts as a scavenger. It feeds on a wide variety of food, including algae, small crustaceans, detritus (decaying organic material), and even fish eggs and coral spawn. Their color can vary greatly, so much so that some might be Pagurus provenzanoi, but it is best to call them all Shortfingers for now.