Trevor Rees 1 Posted July 23, 2005 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? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leslie 0 Posted July 23, 2005 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) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leslie 0 Posted July 23, 2005 Oops, that second website should be http://www.oceanlight.com/lightbox.php?ss=hydroid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor Rees 1 Posted July 24, 2005 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotdiver 0 Posted July 24, 2005 Great shot Trevor - where abouts in Loch Fyne were you when you got the shot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor Rees 1 Posted July 24, 2005 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotdiver 0 Posted July 25, 2005 I know where you mean Trevor - Crarae Bay Jetty beside the disused quarry. Most of my ARPS portfolio was shot there :-) Squat Lobster Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Jones 0 Posted July 27, 2005 that's a nice shot Trevor - pics like this make me want to dust off my drysuit ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Kay 62 Posted September 27, 2005 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)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
