Arthropoda
Hexapanopeus paulensis
(Sponge Crab)
Size
Carapace length: 2.5cm (1")
Recognition Characters
Carapace is hexagonal, approximately 2/3 to 3/4 as long as wide. Dorsal side of carapace is bumpy on the sides. Five spines on each side of anterolateral border of carapace, last three are prominent. Chelipeds, carpus and upper part of palm roughened with carpus having approximately 15 tubercles above, and internal tooth and below it a small tooth or denticle.
Color
Orange, salmon, or red. Only fingers of claws are strongly black.
Habitat & Depth
Rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks offshore. To 30m.
Distribution at GRNMS
Common. Can be found inhabiting the inside of sponges, tunicates, and bryozoans.
Geographic Range
South Carolina to Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean
Behavior & Notes
Synonyms
Williams 1984