Species problem

Questions about identifying the differences between species.
Post Reply
User avatar
Wai
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2892
Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 2
Total gallons: 45
Total tanks: 1
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

Species problem

Post by Wai »

Because I live in Australia, I do not have the other six hermit crab species in America. I am not sure how to tell the other six species apart, so could someone give me a hand?

Below are the info I need:

1. How to tell apart an Ecuadorian and a Rugosus
2. How to tell apart an Indonesian and a Purple Pincher (Caribbean)
3. Special features of a Cavipes (like how to tell them apart from other species)

Any comments or ideas will be greatly appreciated. These will also be added to the Species page.
Wai
Image
User avatar
Julia_Crab
Zoea I
Zoea I
Posts: 106
Joined: 02 Dec 2004, 16:11
Location: Oakland, CA
Contact:

Post by Julia_Crab »

Cavie: Looks like a ruggie except will be purplish or reddish and have flame red antennules.

Indo vs. PP: Indos have HUGE claws compared to their body size. The claws will have little lighter-colored freckles on the wrist joints, PPs have dark dots and not so many freckles on that part. Indo eyes are perfectly round and the eyestalks are black. The outer antennae are very thick at the bases and are usually orange, like ruggies. The shades of purple are different.

Compressus and rugosus can be VERY hard to tell apart, especially when small. The best way is by antenna color. Compressus antennae will be black, blue black or dark gray. Rugosus will have orange antennule tips and orange bases to the outer antennae.

You should study some of the species ID pages on CSJ and HCA.
Kerie (aka Julia Crab)

Member, Crustacean Society, 2005

See my

crabs:
http://crabstreetjournal.com/photos/ent ... ?cat=10239

Like them? My

store:
http://www.cafepress.com/crabhappy

Feed your crabs:
http://www.epicurean-hermit.com
User avatar
Wai
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2892
Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 2
Total gallons: 45
Total tanks: 1
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

Post by Wai »

Thank you Kerie. I myself can tell the species apart for most crabs, but I just don't know how to describe the differences.
Wai
Image
herm-ez
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 77
Joined: 25 Dec 2006, 12:26
Location: ottawa

Post by herm-ez »

You can tell the difference from pps and indo because pps have eyes shaped like commas and indos dont.


curtis ;)
Post Reply