Cyan-Biologist

cool-critters:

Pom-pom crab (Lybia tessellata)

Lybia tessellata is a species of small crab in the family Xanthidae. It is found in shallow parts of the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. Like other members of the genus Lybia, it is commonly known as the pom-pom crab or boxer crab because of its habit of carrying a sea anemone around in each of its claws, these resembling pom-poms or boxing gloves. If attacked by a potential predator, it will threaten the aggressor with an anemone, the tentacles of which are well armed with cnidocytes (stinging cells). It is unable to feed itself with its chelae and uses the tentacles of the anemones to collect food particles which it then removes with its mobile maxillipeds. It is found on sandy and gravelly seabeds, where it is well camouflaged, and on live corals where it clings with its long, thin legs. 

photo credits: acquaportal, Marchione Giacomo