Clarrie’s Hermit Crab

Pagurixus handrecki

Systematics: Anomura Family Paguridae

Distinguishing Characters:
The right cheliped is larger, especially in males where it is swollen and with a ridge along the inside. The smaller left cheliped is triangular in cross-section. The body, no more than 14 mm long, has a cream shield often with two red dots.

Habitat and Distribution:
Clarrie’s hermit crab lives among intertidal and subtidal rocks along most of the southern coast of Australia.

General Biology:
This species is named after Clarrie Handreck, a knowledgeable amateur marine biologist in Victoria where the species occurs. Being so small, the female can carry only few eggs in the space inside the shell which shelters it.

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.