Boxer Hermit Crab

Paguristes pugil

Systematics: Anomura Family Diogenidae

Distinguishing Characters:
The left cheliped is larger than the right, its wrist with a rounded lump on the upper side. Most of the body and legs is reddish. The hermit crab grows to about 20 mm.

Habitat and Distribution:
The species lives in intertidal pools and in shallow subtidal regions in southeastern Australia.

General Biology:
Like all hermit crabs this one must compete with others of its kind and other species for dead snail shells. Individuals change shells more frequently than is simply necessary for growth and fight each other over possession.

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.