The whole body is covered in a golden-brown color, with white, brown, or gold stripes running along their body and legs. Their eight long and spindly legs are usually reddish or yellow, and can grow up to four inches (approximately 10 cm) in length. Its claws are blue or violet. The body is triangularly shaped, hence the name arrow crab. The rostrum, which is the forward extension of the carapace in front of the eyes, extends up to a long point with serrated edges.
This crab is found throughout the Caribbean and is generally found on coral reefs and sand to great depths. They are nocturnal scavengers, often seen crawling on rocks and corals searching for food. They will actually hunt fireworms and will also eat small featherduster worms and pick through detritus looking for any tiny animals unlucky enough to come within its clutches.
Did you know: As the young Arrow Crab continues to grow it will shed its exoskeleton and will replace it with a new one. It will continue to do this until the crab has reached its maximum size.
By Steve Rosenberg for ReefID.org
