Sponge Crab

ID points

• Holds a sponge over its back with the last two pairs of legs
• Carapace round and hairy, with blunt teeth along the edge
• Will go and find a new sponge if its own is lifted off

Basics

Family

Dromiidae

Length

5–12 cm

Depth

1-50 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific

Habitat

Coral reefs and rubble

Diet

Detritus and small invertebrates

Easily confused with

Cone SnailCone-shaped shell patterned like printed clothArrow CrabCarapace a sharp triangle, with a long spiny snoutBlennyOften has forked fleshy tentacles above the eyes

Fun fact

It grips a living sponge or sea squirt with its last pair of legs and wears it on its head as camouflage, sometimes choosing a toxic sponge for extra protection.