Orang-utan crab

Scientific name : Achaeus japonicus

Small decorator crab (carapace lenght 1.2 cm). Oval body, red eyes, long legs, short claws. The whole body and legs can be covered with a more or less thick reddish hair. Particles can be stuck on the hair, for camouflage. Completely "naked" specimens can be seen, with a typical banding pattern on the legs. Living along the external reef. It feeds on plankton and suspended particles that collects with the hair on the first pair of walking legs (or that collect from the reddish fur).
Unique when hairy, in the naked form can be distinguished by the banded colour pattern.
Vir shrimps can be found on Plerogyra sinuosa.

Associated organisms
Often associated with hard corals, particularly of the family Cariophyllidae (Euphyllia glabrescens here, Plerogyra sinuosa in the first and last photos). More mobile at night, when often climbs on sponges or soft corals.

	Description	Author	Place	Size
	Achaeus japonicus	MATTEO GUARDINI	Indonesia, Likupang	543 kB