Stridulating Hermit Crab

Strigopagurus elongatus

Systematics: Anomura Family Diogenidae

Distinguishing Characters:
The large, 130 mm long, stridulating hermit crab has “washer-board”-like rows of yellow horny plates along the insides of the chelipeds. The body is brilliant red and there is a white stripe around the eye and two each side of a red stripe along the eyestalk.

Habitat and Distribution:
This large diogenid hermit crab is found offshore in a small area off the South Australian coast.

General Biology:
Another similar species, Strigopagurus strigimanus, is much more common over a wider geographic range. It also possesses the rows of ridges along the insides of its claws but differs in that there is no stripe on the eyestalk. When rubbed together the washer-boards make a sound but its purpose can only be speculated. The crab lives as an adult in large baler shells and the space inside is home to other associated crustaceans, copepods and amphipods in particular.

Feedback and queries should be sent to the Discovery Centre at Museum Victoria.
Please note, the Discovery Centre can help you only with questions about crustaceans from southeastern Australia. It can not advise on the care of pet hermit crabs or on crustaceans from other regions.