A long-legged monster with a bitter face
Arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis, English name arrow crab), is a member of the spider crab family, because of its special form, attracted a lot of attention. Compared with other spider crabs, arrow crabs also have 8 long legs, even up to 5 times the length of the body, but it is a small point, the body size is generally 4cm ~ 6cm, some can reach 10cm, the female crab is usually smaller.
From a distance, the arrow crab resembles a dry branch. Its pointed head looks like a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower. This pointed head, combined with spherical eyes, and a pair of mini blue pliers (clawed feet) on the chest, is the origin of the name Arrow Crab.
Arrow crabs come in a variety of colours , with a body that may be golden , yellow , or milky white with brown, black, or brilliant blue stripes , the legs are peach or yellow , and the claws are usually blue or purple. The combination of long legs, a pointed head and protruding bulbous eyes, coupled with a cheeky face, makes this crab look funny and impressive.
In fact, the arrow crab is a highly adaptable crustacean, and every physical feature evolved to adapt to the marine environment in which it lives.
Arrow crabs are found mainly in the western Atlantic Ocean, from the United States and Bermuda to Brazil and throughout the Caribbean. They are inactive during the day, usually like to hide in caves or crevices in coral reefs or rocks, wait until they come out at night to feed, mainly plankton, but also eat worms, algae and other animal carcasses, eat almost whatever they touch, and can become "cleaners" for a group of animals in coral reefs or aquariums. Arrow crabs are also known for their aggressiveness towards small fish and other crustaceans.
Arrow crabs, especially male crabs, are usually extremely aggressive and territorially conscious, and they attack other small prey, such as invertebrates and even small fish. However, this aggression is latent and cannot be revealed until the arrow crab grows up. Chasing and attacking creatures of similar size gives the arrow crab a higher chance of finding food in the area where it is located.
Under good conditions, arrow crabs can breed all year round. After mating, the female arrow crabs carry their eggs under the abdomen until the juveniles hatch. Newborn juvenile crabs have transparent, rounded bodies and prefer to live in open water, swimming to the surface and feeding on small plankton. After morphing, they will return to the bottom of the sea again, go through a series of molting shells, and eventually become crabs.
Source/aquatic animal health assessment
【Source: Beihai Municipal Bureau of Oceanography】
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