Image of zoanthids

Description:

Description: These hermit crabs are of the Parapaguridae with anemones on the shells. There are 4 species of Parapagurus reported from this area. They are likely either P. bouvieri or P. andreui, or perhaps even both species. Both associate with Epizoanthus spp., but they can occasionally be found in shells where the coelenterate is not as well developed and only partially covers the housing. P. pilosimanus is found only in the Atlantic (both sides), and so far have not seen any from the Indian Ocean.
Item Type: Image
Title: Hermit crab and anemone
Copyright: SERPENT
Species: Parapagurus sp., Epizoanthus sp.
Behaviour: Feeding at baited timelapse camera. The animal would appear at the bait for a number of frames before moving away (oftern to the back of the frame) to return to the bait later in the deployment.
Site: Indian -- Indian Ocean -- East Africa -- Ngisi-1
Depth (m): 1320
Countries: East Africa -- Tanzania
Habitat: Benthic
Rig: Deep Sea Metro I
Project Partners: BG Group, Oceaneering
ROV: Millennium 113
Deposited By: Dr Andrew Gates
Deposited On: 11 September 2014