Lissocarcinus orbicularis is common at Kwajalein. It is always found on sea cucumbers, and will inhabit a fair number of different holothurian species. Often they will be just inside the mouth or the anus, but will also often come out and wander about on the surface of the holothurian to feed. Usually they remain on the underside of the holothurian, out of sight of predators. They range in color from white with dark spots to dark purplish brown with white spots, sometimes with different color variants on the same sea cucumber.
An unusual single spotted variety.
At the edge of the anal opening of Thelenota anax.
Note how this one uses its pincers to hold onto the tube feet on the underside of Thelenota ananas.
Created 13 September 2018
Updated 17 July 2021