Description: This hermit crab is nearly always found in association with the cloak anemone (Calliactis palliata). Body size is smaller than the common hermit crab with a maximum carapace length of around 1.5 cm. Body is red-brown in colour with paler spots. Carapace covered in sort bristles, back and sides with bumps and granules. Dark coloured eyes on relatively short stalks.

Habitat: Found on muddy sand, mud or gravel. Usually sublittoral.

Distribution: Found all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. Most records are from Northern Ireland, west coast of Scotland and the south of England. Possibly under-recorded in other areas.

Similar Species: Unmistakable if cloak anemone (Calliactis palliata) is visible.

Key Identification Features:

• Nearly always in association with cloak anemone (Calliactis palliata).
• Smaller than common hermit crab
• Body red-brown in colour.

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

iNaturalist: Pagurus prideaux at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Pagurus prideaux at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Pagurus prideaux Leach, 1815. AphiaID: 107239.

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