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  • This species of crayfish, known as zarigani (Cambaroides japonicus) is endemic to Japan, living in Hokkaido and northern Honshu. They live in areas of low temperature with high water purity. This individual was missing its right front claw.
    zarigani-crayfish-cambaroides-japoni...tif
  • Giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus) being cleaned by scarlet cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). Ambon, Indonesia
    giant-moray-eel-Gymnothorax-javanicu...tif
  • Beautiful harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera elegans) at night
    Hymenocera-elegans-harlequin-shrimp-..tiff
  • This is a Lophomastix japonica spiny sand crab, which is a cryptic species few people have seen in the wild. It lives in sandy environments of the Sea of Japan, the Pacific coast of the Japan, the coast of South and North Korea and the northern part of the Yellow Sea. These crabs burrow in the substrate and are also known as mole crabs. I believe this crab and others I encountered had surfaced for molting and reproduction. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lophomastix-japonica-spiny-sand-crab...tif
  • This is a shallow water hydrothermal vent crab (Xenograpsus testudinatus), size less than 1cm. This species lives in sulfur-rich, anaerobic waters associated with active hydrothermal vents. The white particles in the water have been ejected along with gas bubbles from crevices among the rocks. The white hair on the crab comprises bacterial growth. Hot water emerging from the vents results in complex thermoclines that obscure visibility. As is the case with deepwater ocean vents, shallow sites host a range of bacteria that make use of sulfur as an energy source. First described in Taiwan, this crab species has been confirmed in several locations in Japan as well. This photograph is from Showa Io-jima in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    xenograpsus-testudinatus-hydrotherma...tif
  • This is an Ortmann squat lobster (Chirostylus ortmanni) carrying a clutch of eggs and using one of its long, spindly claws to bring something to its mouth. The background is the primary stalk of the large soft coral upon which the squat lobster was living.
    chirostylus-ortmanni-squat-lobster-w...tif
  • Pair of Coleman shrimp (Periclimenes colemani) on fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium). Ambon, Indonesia
    Periclimenes-colemani-Coleman-shrimp...tif
  • Squat lobster in a crinoid, carrying a clutch of eggs, just visible under the crustacean's abdomen. There were many exceptionally large squat lobsters at Alexander's Wall, a dive site in the Eastern Fields of Papua New Guinea. This photograph is a film scan.
    elegant-squat-lobster-with-eggs-allo...tif
  • This is a female red egg crab (Atergatis integerrimus) sending zoea (planktonic-stage larval crabs) into the ocean. These crabs often launch their juveniles from within the safety of coral or rocks. This one was perched atop Pavona decussata coral for a few minutes before dropping into the crevice between folds of coral to continue broadcasting progeny. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    atergatis-integerrimus-crab-broadcas...tif
  • This is a Gaetice depressus pebble crab foraging in shallow water at night. Photographed in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
    gaetice-depressus-pebble-crab-2023-0...tif
  • This is a Lophomastix japonica spiny sand crab, which is a cryptic species few people have seen in the wild. It lives in sandy environments of the Sea of Japan, the Pacific coast of the Japan, the coast of South and North Korea and the northern part of the Yellow Sea. These crabs burrow in the substrate and are also known as mole crabs. I believe this crab and others I encountered had surfaced for molting and reproduction. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lophomastix-japonica-spiny-sand-crab...tif
  • This is a Periclimenes magnificus commensal shrimp waiting for larger animals to visit to be cleaned. This species is one of many types of shrimps that earn their keep by providing cleaning services to larger reef residents.
    periclimenes-magnificus-commensal-sh...tif
  • This is a harlequin crab (Lissocarcinus laevis) comfortably ensconced in a tube anemone.
    lissocarcinus-laevis-harlequin-crab-...tif
  • Anemone hermit crab (Dardanus pedunculatus) capturing and eating a mollusk. This hermit crab has a symbiotic relationship with anemones. The crab attaches anemones to the shell it lives in and transfers the anemones when it grows larger and changes shells. The anemones provide defence against predators like octopuses. It is possible that transfer of shells took place after this photograph was taken.
    anemone-hermit-crab-dardanus-peduncu...tif
  • This is a cloud of crab larvae, just after release in shallow water by a female land crab (Discoplax hirtipes). At 100% magnification, the individual larva are easily distinguishable. See separate image of female crab in the act of releasing these eggs/ larvae into the water. Photographed at Ngeremdiu Beach, Ngeruktabel Island in Palau.
    crab-larvae-zoea-Discoplax-hirtipes-...tif
  • Pontonides sp. commensal shrimp on a curled-up whip coral (Cirrhipathes sp.) formation
    Pontonides-commensal-shrimp-on-Cirrh...tif
  • Harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera elegans) eating a red starfish in Ambon, Indonesia
    harlequin-shrimp-Hymenocera-elegans-...tif
  • This is a female banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) carrying a clutch of maturing eggs. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    stenopus-hispidus-cleaner-shrimp-wit...tif
  • This is a frontal view of a Lophomastix japonica spiny sand crab, which is a cryptic species few people have seen in the wild. It lives in sandy environments of the Sea of Japan, the Pacific coast of the Japan, the coast of South and North Korea and the northern part of the Yellow Sea. These crabs burrow in the substrate and are also known as mole crabs. I believe this crab and others I encountered had surfaced for molting and reproduction. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lophomastix-japonica-spiny-sand-crab...tif
  • This is the molted exoskeleton of a Lophomastix japonica spiny sand crab. This species burrows in the substrate and is rarely seen. It can be found in the Sea of Japan, the Pacific coast of the Japan, the coast of South and North Korea and the northern part of the Yellow Sea. Molting may have been a precursor to reproduction. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lophomastix-japonica-spiny-sand-crab...tif
  • This is a shallow water hydrothermal vent crab (Xenograpsus testudinatus), size less than 1cm. This species lives in sulfur-rich, anaerobic waters associated with active hydrothermal vents. The white particles in the water have been ejected along with gas bubbles from crevices among the rocks. The white hair on the crab comprises bacterial growth. Hot water emerging from the vents results in complex thermoclines that obscure visibility. As is the case with deepwater ocean vents, shallow sites host a range of bacteria that make use of sulfur as an energy source. First described in Taiwan, this crab species has been confirmed in several locations in Japan as well. This photograph is from Showa Io-jima in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    xenograpsus-testudinatus-hydrotherma...tif
  • This is a small shrimp (Tozeuma sp.). This shrimp and two others were well camouflaged on a small clump of coral and other entangled organisms. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    tozeuma-shrimp-japan-202302-0206.tif
  • This is a Japanese mitten lobster (Parribacus japonicus) patrolling the sea bed at night.
    parribacus-japonicus-mitten-lobster-...tif
  • This is a Japanese mitten lobster (Parribacus japonicus) peeking out from a crevice in the rock and coral substrate just before emerging to forage at night.
    parribacus-japonicus-mitten-lobster-...tif
  • This is a large Mauve-eyed hermit crab (Dardanus crassimanus) consuming a red cornetfish (Fistularia petimba).
    dardanus-crassimanus-consuming-fistu...tif
  • This is a pair of leopard anemone shrimp (Izucaris masudai) on their host Nemanthus sp. anemone. The larger of the two is the female. First described in Japan in 1999, this species is called ayatori-kakure-ebi in Japanese..
    izucaris-masudai-leopard-anemone-shr...tif
  • Freshly caught deep-sea king crab (Paralomis multispina) on the deck of a fishing vessel. The crabs were brought up from around 1000m depth in Suruga Bay, Japan. Adjacent to the crabs is the bait used to attract the crabs.
    deep-sea-king-crab-paralomis-multisp...tif
  • This is a red frog spanner crab (Ranina ranina) walking across sandy substrate at high speed. When it emerges from the sand, this crab moves along the sea floor with forward motion, unusual among the true crabs. This species is the only extant member of its genus and is considered a delicacy in many countries.
    red-frog-spanner-crab-walking-ranina...tif
  • Rear view of a red frog spanner crab (Ranina ranina)
    red-frog-spanner-crab-rear-view-rani...tif
  • This is a red frog spanner crab (Ranina ranina) creating a sandstorm as it runs across sandy substrate. This species is the only extant member of its genus and is considered a delicacy in many countries. When it emerges from the sand, this crab ambles across the sea floor with forward motion, unusual among the true crabs.
    red-frog-spanner-crab-ranina-ranina-...tif
  • This is a spanner crab (Ranina ranina), also known as a red frog crab. It is an edible crab found in tropical and sub-tropical waters. These crabs burrow into the sand rear-first, where they stay camouflaged with only their eyes protruding. They come out to scavenge for food. Unlike other crabs, this species walks in a forward direction. Though this crustacean is harvested for food, there is little known about this species’ ecology. It is the only species extant in its genus.
    red-spanner-frog-crab-ranina-ranina-...tif
  • Juvenile crustacean encountered during blackwater night dive in Palau. Likely the megalop stage of a decapod crab, which is the final stage of development prior to settling down to morph into benthic form. Possibly Carpilius juvenile. Carapace less than 1cm.
    crab-megalop-stage-blackwater-diving...tif
  • Malcolm was our cook during the kayak expedition. Here he is holding a large male land crab (Discoplax hirtipes) at our second campsite, which was at Ngeremdiu Beach. Malcolm told me that female crabs migrate from land to the water to release their brood at the turning of the high tide during full moon. We saw a few females releasing eggs here at Ngeremdiu Beach, and also at the next campsite on Ngchuus Beach. See separate photos of female crab releasing eggs, and of the resulting zoea.
    terrestrial-crab-discoplax-hirtipes-...tif
  • These spider crabs are relatively common throughout Southeast Asia. They resemble another type of undescribed Oncinopus sp., which is hairy and are commonly referred to as orangutan crabs (often incorrectly identified as Achaeus japonicus, which is a different species). These crabs do not have hair, however. They appear spongy, ranging from pale red to yellow in color. In addition, their eyes are white, whereas the eyes of orangutan crabs are red. These crabs also tend to be out in the open, while orangutan crabs are most often found in association with bubble coral or anemones. The stance, demeanor and gait of these crabs remind me of King Kong, hence my nickname for them, King Kong crabs.
    undescribed-oncinopus-crab-king-kong...tif
  • Harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera elegans) standing guard over its captive starfish. Ambon, Indonesia
    Hymenocera-elegans-harlequin-shrimp-...tif
  • A tiny cleaning shrimp (Urocaridella sp.) dwarfed by the size of its client, a giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus). Ambon, Indonesia.
    Urocaridella-cleaner-shrimp-giant-mo...tif
  • Close-up portrait of zebra crab (Zebrida adamsii) on a colorful fire sea urchin (Asthenosoma varium)
    zebra-crab-and-fire-urchin-ambon-201..tiff
  • This is a Lophomastix japonica spiny sand crab, which is a cryptic species few people have seen in the wild. It lives in sandy environments of the Sea of Japan, the Pacific coast of the Japanese Islands, the coast of South and North Korea and the northern part of the Yellow Sea. These crabs burrow in the substrate and are also known as mole crabs. I believe this crab and others I encountered had surfaced for molting and reproduction. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lophomastix-japonica-spiny-sand-crab...tif
  • This is a male Pagurus constans hermit crab, which is typically associated with Hydrissa sodalis hydroids as shown here. The hydroids create the crustacean's characteristic spiky appearance. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    pagurus-constans-hermit-crab-japan-2...tif
  • This is a pair of Pagurus brachiomastus hermit crabs. The male on the right is holding on to the female on the left. During the reproductive season, males grasp females in this manner. Other males approach to challenge, often resulting in a protracted tussle, with the victorious male claiming the female.
    pagurus-brachiomastus-hermit-crab-re...tif
  • This is a pair of mud crabs (Scylla sp.) preparing to mate in the late summer. The male is on top, with the female upside-down beneath.
    scylla-mud-crabs-mating-japan-202208...tif
  • This is a female mud crab (Scylla sp.) carrying eggs during the late summer.
    scylla-mud-crab-eggs-japan-202208-00...tif
  • This is a red-spotted blenny (Blenniella chrysospilos) poking its head out of its home in the coral, with two coral hermit crabs (Paguritta sp.) visible in the background. The blenny's home is the abandoned burrow of a vermetid gastropod, Dendropoma maximum.
    blenniella-chrysospilos-red-spotted-...tif
  • Whip coral shrimp (Pontonides ankeri) on a sea whip (Cirripathes sp.) in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This species is often confused with Pontonides unciger, which lives on bushy black corals (Anthipathes sp.)
    pontonides-ankeri-shrimp-on-cirripat...tif
  • Cute coral crab (Trapezia sp.) in pretty mint-colored hard coral (Acropora sp.)
    cute-Trapezia_crab-in-coral-ambon-20..tiff
  • This is an Eualus leptognathus shrimp carrying eggs. The shrimp is sitting on Undaria pinnatifida kelp in the northern waters of Japan.
    eualus-leptognathus-shrimp-with-eggs...tif
  • This is a male Huenia heraldica crab, one of many species of crustaceans that use other animals for camouflage and protection. This crab was particularly ambitious in terms of the relative size of the hydroids it chose to carry around presumably for self-defense.
    huenia-heraldica-decorator-crab-hydr...tif
  • High-magnification view of an Ortmann squat lobster (Chirostylus ortmanni) carrying a clutch of eggs. The background is the primary stalk of the large soft coral upon which the squat lobster was living.
    chirostylus-ortmanni-squat-lobster-w...tif
  • Portunid swimming crabs mating at night in Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The male crab is on top. The female crab is underneath, flipped upside down.
    portunid-swimming-crabs-mating-at-ni...tif
  • Black and white squat lobster (Allogalathea elegans) sitting on a crinoid. Ambon, Indonesia
    Allogalathea-elegans-squat-lobster-o...tif
  • This is a female red egg crab (Atergatis integerrimus) sending zoea (planktonic-stage larval crabs) into the ocean. These crabs often launch their juveniles from within the safety of coral or rocks. This one was perched atop Pavona decussata coral for a few minutes before dropping into the crevice between folds of coral to continue broadcasting progeny. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    atergatis-integerrimus-crab-broadcas...tif
  • This is a crinoid squat lobster (Allogalathea elegans) perched on the arms of a feather star. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    allogalathea-elegans-elegant-squat-l...tif
  • This is a Dasycaris sp. shrimp that was associated with a small coral growth. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    dasycaris-shrimp-japan-202302-0610.tif
  • This is a pair of mud crabs (Scylla sp.) preparing to mate in the late summer. The male is on top, with the female upside-down beneath.
    scylla-mud-crabs-mating-japan-202208...tif
  • This is a Columbus crab (Planes minutus), a small oceanic crab that lives on floating objects such as seaweed, driftwood and other debris, or in association with animals such as by-the-wind sailors (Velella velella) or turtles. They can appear in different colors. This one was found together with a mass stranding of thousands of Portuguese man-of-war colonial siphonophores (Physalia physalis) and by-the-wind sailors. The crab was between one and two centimeters.
    columbus-crab-planes-minutus-south-a...tif
  • Juvenile crustacean encountered during blackwater night dive in Palau. Likely the megalop stage of a decapod crab, which is the final stage of development prior to settling down to morph into benthic form. Possibly Carpilius juvenile. Carapace less than 1cm.
    decapod-crab-megalop-stage-blackwate...tif
  • This signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) is an invasive species in Japan. The species is native to North America. It has displaced the native Japanese crayfish (Cambaroides japonicus) throughout many freshwater environments throughout the country. The individual in this image is a mature crayfish. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    pacifastacus-leniusculus-signal-cray...tif
  • This is a sub-adult signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), which is an invasive species in Japan. The species is native to North America. It has displaced the native Japanese crayfish (Cambaroides japonicus) throughout many freshwater environments throughout the country. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    pacifastacus-leniusculus-signal-cray...tif
  • This is a Japanese mitten lobster (Parribacus japonicus) carrying her eggs while foraging for food at night. Photographed in Kagoshimai Prefecture, Japan.
    parribacus-japonicus-mitten-lobster-...tif
  • This is a male Pagurus constans hermit crab grasping a smaller female, behavior that is typical of hermit crabs during reproductive season. This species of hermit crab is associated with Hydrissa sodalis hydroids, which cover the shells inhabited by the crustaceans and give the crustaceans their characteristic spiky appearance. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    pagurus-constans-hermit-crab-reprodu...tif
  • This is a juvenile deep-sea crab, Paralomis multispina. This species is known from the waters of Japan across to Alaska and down to California. It is one of many species of the king crab genus Paralomis. This juvenile was about 7cm in size. It was brought up from a depth of 1000m in Suruga Bay, Japan. The Japanese name is Ezo-Ibarabani.
    paralomis-multispina-king-crab-juven...tif
  • Juvenile hairfinned leatherjacket (Paramonacanthus japonicus) being attended to by a multicolored cleaner shrimp (Ancylomenes sp.)
    paramonacanthus-japonicus-juvenile-a...tif
  • Alpheus frontalis snapping shrimp infected with a Rhizocephalan parasite, possibly Thompsonia sp. Photographed in the Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
    alpheus-frontalis-infected-rhizoceph...tif
  • This is a cloud of crab larvae, just after release in shallow water by a female land crab (Discoplax hirtipes). At 100% magnification, the individual larva are easily distinguishable. See separate image of female crab in the act of releasing these eggs/ larvae into the water. Photographed at Ngeremdiu Beach, Ngeruktabel Island in Palau.
    crab-larvae-zoea-Discoplax-hirtipes-...tif
  • Portunid swimming crabs mating at night in Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The male crab is on top. The female crab is underneath, flipped upside down.
    portunid-swimming-crabs-mating-at-ni...tif
  • Squat lobster in a crinoid, one of the largest ones I've seen. There were many large squat lobsters like this at Alexander's Wall, a dive site in the Eastern Fields of Papua New Guinea. This photograph is a film scan.
    elegant-squat-lobster-allogalathea-e...tif
  • Two Paguritta coral hermit crabs looking out at the world from their burrows in a coral formation.
    Paguritta-coral-hermit-crabs-eastern...tif
  • Harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera elegans) at night
    Hymenocera-elegans-harlequin-shrimp-..tiff
  • This is a female Ortmann squat lobster (Chirostylus ortmanni) carrying a clutch of eggs. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    chirostylus-ortmanni-squat-lobster-w...tif
  • This is a small crab species (Lauridromia intermedia) that is known for carrying sponges, sometimes ascidians or other things on its back. Found in the western Indo-Pacific, these crabs use claw-like spines on the ends of their fourth and fifth pairs of legs to carry the sponges. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    lauridromia-intermedia-sponge-crab-j...tif
  • This is a female Orisarma intermedium crab making her way down to the ocean to release a clutch of eggs a couple of nights before the new moon.
    orisarma-intermedium-crab-eggs-japan...tif
  • Hasegawa-san with a freshly caught species of deep-sea king crab (Lithodes turritus), known as hari-ibaragani in Japanese. This was caught at a depth of 1000m.
    hasegawa-san-deep-sea-king-crab-lith...tif
  • Alpheus frontalis snapping shrimp infected with a Rhizocephalan parasite, possibly Thompsonia sp. Photographed in the Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
    alpheus-frontalis-snapping-shrimp-rh...tif
  • This is a female Discoplax hirtipes terrestrial crab disseminating her brood of fertilized eggs into shallow water during full moon. The crab waited on land at Ngeremdiu Beach for the evening high tide. She entered the water as the tide turned to go out and released her eggs. Once she committed to releasing eggs, it was only a matter of seconds before she completed her task and headed back to the safety of her underground burrow. See separate photograph of the crab eggs in the water.
    female-land-crab-releasing-eggs-pala...tif
  • Zebra crab (Zebrida adamsii) on venomous fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium) in Ambon, Indonesia
    zebra-crab-Zebrida-adamsii-venomous-...tif
  • Giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus) being cleaned by scarlet cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). Ambon, Indonesia
    giant-moray-eel-Gymnothorax-javanicu...tif
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