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Red reef crab

Paguristes cadenati

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Fun Facts

These guys are good at keeping their surroundings clean, munching on excess algae and marine debris. 

Species Type:

Invertebrates

Common Name(s):

Red reef crab

Size:

Red reed hermit crabs grow up to 1.2 inches (3 centimeters) across.

Diet:

These hermit crabs are opportunistic feeders, meaning they eat whatever is available, including sea grasses, plants, dead animals and other organic matter.

Range & Habitat:

In the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, these hermit crabs live on reefs anywhere from 1- 260 feet (80 meters) deep.

Details:

Red reef crabs have small, bright red bodies with yellow-orange eyestalks. Their vibrant red color makes them stand out in the reef environment. These crabs inhabit discarded mollusk shells for protection, a behavior characteristic of hermit crabs.