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Who?
Family: Majidae
Species: Stenorhynchus seticornis
Species ID: M.SS
Description: A small, spider-like crab with a triangular body. This species has a serrated spine rising sharply up from between the eyes (1), long thin legs (2), and two small purple claws (3). The body is typically reddish brown and covered in fine white or yellow lines. Sexes appear similar, but females can be distinguished from males when carrying eggs under their body
Maximum Size: 6 cm (2.5 in) not including the legs
Longevity: Up to 5 years
Status: Not currently on the IUCN endangered species list
Yellowline Arrow Crab & People: These crabs are much too small to consume, but are widely collected for export due to their popularity in the aquarium trade
Where?
Geographical Range: Common throughout the shallow waters of the Caribbean
Coral Reef Zone: These crabs are found in all coral reef zones, except the reef crest zone
Favourite Habitat: Arrow crabs prefer rocky areas of reef with many hiding places, but can also be seen inhabiting sponges, and sheltering under anemones and within the spines of urchins
Depth: 3–40 m (10–130 ft)
A Day in The Life
Dawn: Arrow crabs return to their shelter from nearby foraging areas
Day: Arrow crabs remain hidden and inactive during the day, but will emerge to defend their shelter from intruders
Dusk: Arrow crabs leave their shelter for the evening
Night: These crabs are at their most active as they forage, defend territories and mate
Who Eats Who?
The arrow crab is an omnivore that combs the reef for algae, tube worms, bristleworms and dead organisms. This crab is eaten by a wide range of reef predators including grouper, puffers, triggerfishes, wrasses and grunts among others.
Scuba Diver & Snorkeler Best Practices
Refrain from feeding marine life Coral reef organisms should never be fed. Although this may seem like a harmless practice that allows you to get close to your favourite organisms, it actually disturbs normal feeding patterns and diets. Scientists have documented turtles being fed bread, dog food and even cheese—none of these foods are found naturally in the marine environment, and they can cause untold stress to the organisms that consume them. Conditioning wild animals to become comfortable with hand-feeding by humans alters their behaviour and makes them more vulnerable to capture, which directly affect their survival—this is particularly a concern for endangered sea turtles.
