The weird and wonderful spiny spider crab (Achaeus spinosus), another critter in my incipient hairy collection, is commonly called a hydroid decorator crab or electric crab. Both names are appropriate. The crab decorates itself by deliberately plucking tiny, stinging marine organisms (hydroids) from the seafloor and attaching them to its legs and head. The hydroids live and grow on the crab, providing near-perfect visual camouflage while creating a venomous, stinging barrier that deters predators. It looks electric, doesn't it?
Sticking to hairy stories, this tiny critter is a hairy squat lobster (Lauriea siaginiani), aka a fairy crab. However, it is neither a true lobster nor a true crab. It belongs to anomurans, a group of decapod crustaceans related to hermit crabs. They reach a full adult length of 7 to 15 millimetres. They are small but relatively easy to see due to their bright colour and predictable habitat (sponges).
