Tumidodromia dormia (Linnaeus, 1763)
Common sponge crab
Tumidodromia dormia
photo by Poppe, Guido and Philippe

Family:  Dromiidae (sponge crabs)
Max. size:  20 cm CW (male/unsexed); 17.2 cm CW (female)
Environment:  benthic; marine; depth range 5 - 112 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: From the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and French Polynesia.
Diagnosis:  Carapace rounded, as wide as or slightly wider than long; surfaces convex, with dense pubiscence; 5 anterolateral teeth, median ones largest. No spine present on outer margin of dactylus of last walking leg. Color: light brown overall with pink fingers.
Biology:  Largest dromiid known (Refs. 343, 122680). Epizoic. Subtidal on hard bottom (Ref. 106854). Occurs at depths of 5 to 50 m. Prefers moderately shallow waters with rocky-muddy substrates, sometimes near reefs. Omnivorous, feeds on sea stars. Carries sponges and colonial tunicates on its back for camouflage (Ref. 343). Can occasionally be found sheltering under old bivalve shells (Ref. 125338). Predator (Ref. 128960).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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