This small crab lives on or around the soft coral Xenia. They were relatively common at Enewetak Atoll, where their host Xenia was common. In the early 1980s, Xenia was common in parts of the southern Kwajalein Atoll as well, usually on pinnacle and some lagoon reefs. By the late 1990s, this soft coral had become scarce in this part of the atoll, with none to be found on several mid lagoon pinnacles where it had once been common. At least through 2016, there was still a large cluster of colonies on one, but only one of several reefs between Bigej and Meck Islands. With fewer sightings of the soft coral, we were no longer able to find this commensal Caphyra crab.
Created 12 September 2018