Stenorhynchus seticornis

Arrow crab
File:Sanc0515.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Pleocyemata
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Majidae
Genus:	Stenorhynchus Lamarck, 1818
Species:	S. seticornis
Binomial name
Stenorhynchus seticornis (Herbst, 1788)

The arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) is a saltwater invertebrate that resembles a harvestman (daddy long-legs) that may grow up to a length of about 6 inches (15 cm). It may be found in the wild on the tropical and subtropical Atlantic coasts of the Americas.

Although notorious for becoming territorial in reef aquariums, arrow crabs can nonetheless be helpful when kept in an aquarium, by eating bristle worms and other aquarium pests. They move surprisingly quickly for their ungainly appearance, and use their muscular legs to defend against predators.

The crab's eight spiderlike walking legs may be three times as long as its body. The body is composed of many colours. It is golden-brown with white, brown or gold stripes running lengthwise. The ends of the legs are dark purple.

Arrow crabs are nocturnal animals, who do all of their scavenging during the nighttime, and are rarely seen out during the daylight hours. These crabs do not fear divers who try to take photos of them, but can be quite territorial towards other animals.

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References

• Emilio Barela. "Arrow crab". WhoZoo.org. Retrieved 2007-07-05.