Hermit Crab from Scotland

Here is a recent shot of a hermit crab from Loch Fyne in Scotland in the UK.

Can anyone tell me what is growing on the shell. I'm referring to the white, rather attractive growth, most evident on the underneath side?

It's Hydractinia echinata, the hedgehog hermit. The main habitat for this is hermit crab shells. See http://staff.umh.ac.be/Sheridan.Richard/in...hydractinia.htm (european species) and http://staff.umh.ac.be/Sheridan.Richard/in...hydractinia.htm (the California counterpart)

Oops, that second website should be http://www.oceanlight.com/lightbox.php?ss=hydroid

Great, - so we are talking about a colony of hydroids.

Many thanks.

The photo got me 3rd place in a UK prints competition recently so it's nice to be sure what was growing on the shell when people ask me.

Great shot Trevor - where abouts in Loch Fyne were you when you got the shot?

Robert,

Just past a place called Furnace on the road going south there is a tea room on the left hand side. Here there is a very easy shore dive and hermit crabs are all over the place. This one stood out a bit with all the hydroid growth making it look that bit more exotic.

I know where you mean Trevor - Crarae Bay Jetty beside the disused quarry. Most of my ARPS portfolio was shot there :-)

Squat Lobster

that's a nice shot Trevor - pics like this make me want to dust off my drysuit !

Just to add my bit - this is an excellent divesite - cafe for degassing between dives, easy entry, etc.

There are also loads of Pagurus prideaux (Hermits) with their Cloak anemones on them. In the shallows about 100~150m from the cafe there is an incredible concentration of small shore urchins amidst black brittlestars. We dived here several times this summer and always found something new - does anyone know if the cafe stays open during winter (weekends perhaps)?