Description: A small hermit crab reaching up to 5 mm. The body is pale red in colour while the pincers and legs have patches of orange or red. The antennae have orange and red bands, antennal scale (long, sharp spine-like projection) noticeable at the base of each antenna. Many long hairs on antennule peduncle, other species of Anapagurus lack these hairs. The eyestalks are relatively long. The right pincer is much larger than the left and almost hairless, while the left pincer is considerably smaller and covered in long bristles/hairs, especially to the inside.

Habitat: Sand, muddy stones, gravel and below rocks, from lower shore usually to depths of 35 m, some reported from depths of up to 200 m. Also reported from maerl and seagrass beds.

Distribution: Reported from all coasts of Britain and Ireland, aside from west coast of Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other hermit crabs, especially Anapagurus chiroacanthus. In Anapagurus hyndmanni the right pincer is almost hairless, and while both species have long eyestalks they are longer in Anapagurus chiroacanthus. Anapagurus hyndmanni has long hairs on segments 2 and 3 of antennule peduncle, while Anapagurus chiroacanthus does not have these.

Key Identification Features:

• Small hermit crab (5 mm)
• Pale red body, pincers and legs have patches of orange and red.
• Antennae banded orange and red, with noticeable long spine-like projection at base (antennal scale).
• Many long hairs on segment 2 and 3 of antennule peduncle.
• Right pincer much larger than left, almost hairless.
• Left pincer small, covered in long bristles/hairs, especially towards the inside.

Distribution Map from NBN: Anapagurus hyndmanni at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Anapagurus hyndmanni at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Anapagurus hyndmanni

WoRMS: Anapagurus hyndmanni at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Anapagurus hyndmanni (Bell, 1845). AphiaID: 107217.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Crustacea; Multicrustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Eucarida; Decapoda; Pleocyemata; Anomura; Paguroidea; Paguridae; Anapagurus