Arthropoda
Paguristes sericeus
(Blue-Eyed Hermit Crab)
Size
Anterior shield width: 1.7cm (0.75") Anterior shield length: 1cm (0.4")
Recognition Characters
Anterior shield of carapace is nearly as broad as long with several spines on each side. Rostrum has an acute tip. Antennular peduncles extend almost to tips of eyestalks. Antennal peduncles slightly exceeding acicles, terminal article armed with 2 spines; acicles straight, termiated by spiny fork ans with 2 or 3 spines on internal and external borders. Chelipeds subequal, upper surfaces covered with soft yellow hairs nearly obscuring surface.
Color
Body is orange-red with numerous irregular white spots having darker border of red than general body color. Eyestalks are solid red, cornea is azure or green.
Habitat & Depth
Coral rubble and sand. Occupy empty shells of Strombus, Murex, and Oliva. 9 to 145m.
Distribution at GRNMS
Common. Occupy murex, olivana, and other mollusk shells. Located under rocky rubble and crevices in reef.
Geographic Range
North Carolina south to the Virgin Islands, Gulf of Mexico and Flower Bank Gardens
Behavior & Notes
Synonyms
Williams 1984