Fascinating Hermit Crabs

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Night Diving and the Fascinating Hermit Crabs!

Known for its incredible marine biodiversity, it is therefore no surprise that the setting of the sun brings the most interesting creatures out to play in the Coral Triangle. One such ‘creature of the night’ that makes its home in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, is the intriguing hermit crab.

Hermit crabs, while not uncommon globally with over 800 known species, come in all different shapes and sizes. These unique crabs can be divided into two main groups, marine and terrestrial hermit crabs.

Fascinating Hermit Crabs
Fascinating Hermit Crabs 6

Marine hermit crabs are generally found in shallow reefs and shorelines, though on occasion are seen in deeper waters, and will spend most of their lives never leaving the water. These species are often observed hiding away in their “mobile homes” during the day, easily mistaken for shells or pieces of coral, thus staying safe and going unnoticed awaiting the fall of darkness. 

Most marine hermit crabs make use of mobile shells for protection and camouflage, though a very small number of marine hermit crab species use immobile structures such as coral growth or sponges. One common behaviour shared, is the hunt for a larger and more comfortable home.

As hermit crabs grow, they go through moulting periods (as many other crustaceans do) where they shed their exoskeleton to accommodate a growth spurt, before a new exoskeleton is formed. Hermit crabs differ with other crustaceans, as their exoskeletons are not strong enough to fully protect them from predatorial attacks. They have soft curved abdomens that leave them vulnerable when they’re not inside their reclaimed homes.

Fascinating Hermit Crabs
Fascinating Hermit Crabs 7

Marine hermit crabs are masters of disguise and opportunity. Many species have a symbiotic relationship with anemone. These crabs attach anemone to their shells and, in some cases, are even known to transfer the same anemone to a new shell when they relocate. These anemones provide protection to the crabs, who will often place the anemones on weak spots or openings in their shells.

Anemones have stinging tentacles that keep potential predators at bay. The anemones benefit from this relationship, by feeding from the scraps of the crabs’ meals and a free ride to other food sources. These crabs are even known to carry amphipods, or flatworms, on their shells to help with cleaning duties. The hermit crab shell is a home to many.

During the day these crabs are usually found hiding in plain sight, and only eager patient eyes will spot these masters of disguise. Divers have often mistaken a discarded shell or patch of coral to be empty, only to be surprised by legs and claws suddenly appearing. While it is not common for these crabs to be active during the day, they are scavengers and will not hesitate to capitalise on an easy meal. Hermit crabs are omnivores, and their habitat and size will directly influence their diet, which varies from plankton, other crabs and even dead fish or squid.

Fascinating Hermit Crabs
Fascinating Hermit Crabs 8

The reef systems of the Coral Triangle come to life when the sun goes down. Small areas of coral turn into a mass of movement, and action, for many species who hide in plain sight during the day, including the hermit crab.

During the night it is incredible to observe these fascinating creatures emerging from their hiding places in the coral or sponge gardens or moving their shells to a new hiding place among the similarly coloured and textured reef. Occasionally, if you are lucky, you might witness the relocation of a hermit crab to a new shell, though this requires tremendous luck. These interesting creatures are truly a highlight to observe on any night dive.  

Fascinating Hermit Crabs
Fascinating Hermit Crabs 9

While marine hermit crabs can spend their entire lives disguised in coral reefs, their terrestrial family members spend most of their time on firm ground. This is possible by their specialised gills, that only need to stay damp with either fresh or salt water to facilitate survival.

Therefore, the tropics are the ideal habitat for these crabs. The humid climate of areas such as Raja Ampat, provide the perfect habitat for terrestrial hermit crabs such as the Indos Crab. These terrestrial crabs are generally larger than their marine cousins. While marine hermit crabs use their claimed shells for protection and camouflage to survive, their terrestrial counterparts have more hardened exoskeletons and make use of their moving homes to store water in especially during migration seasons.

This water helps keep their gills damp on land. Where marine hermit crabs also make use of their shells for protection during the moulting process, terrestrial hermit crabs will burrow below ground until their exoskeleton has hardened enough.

Human expansion and pollution have led to the habitats of these crabs drastically shrinking and changing. It has now become common to see tin cans and other trash being used by the crabs as shells. The terrestrial crabs also have an omnivore diet but will always favour fish and other meat if available, but it is not uncommon to see these crabs snacking on tropical fruit that has fallen to the ground. These crabs are also mostly nocturnal and are known to have given many a fright, when they see a soup can slowly making its way down a tree or path.

Fascinating Hermit Crabs
Fascinating Hermit Crabs 10

Areas like the rich ecosystems of the Raja Ampat islands, allow travellers to see these fascinating creatures up close and personal, both above and below the water. Many of the popular dive sites in this area are near islands that are host to the terrestrial crabs, making it possible to see both hermit crabs on a single trip, to a picture-perfect tropical island in this breath-taking region.

About Organisation:

Situated in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Meridian Adventure Dive is a PADI 5 Star Resort and winner of the PADI Green Star award. Scuba divers enjoy our professional services that have become synonymous with both the PADI and Meridian Adventure names.

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YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS43RkJGOTAwRDhCOEQ1RjIy

Is This The Best Dive Center Ever? W\@wakatobidiveresort

@sennacher 
#askmark Hi there, regarding DSMBs. I’m no expert whatsoever and normally I deploy it correctly. This weekend we dove on very strong current and I almost lose my breath while deploying it (mouth inflate) as it tangled a bit on my reg. It scared the sh&t out of me so. Is there any “little cylinder” kind of thing in order to keep my reg in my mouth to deploy it safer?  I haven’t tried to do it with my LPI… but asume it would tangle also.
Thanks
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@sennacher
#askmark Hi there, regarding DSMBs. I’m no expert whatsoever and normally I deploy it correctly. This weekend we dove on very strong current and I almost lose my breath while deploying it (mouth inflate) as it tangled a bit on my reg. It scared the sh&t out of me so. Is there any “little cylinder” kind of thing in order to keep my reg in my mouth to deploy it safer? I haven’t tried to do it with my LPI… but asume it would tangle also.
Thanks
Please visit our website for more Scuba news, underwater photography, hints & advice, and travel reports: https://divernet.com/

✅ Important Affiliate Links to Follow

🔗 Get 15% Off International eSIM Offer! Use Code: SCUBADIVERMAG
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Is There an Easier Way to Deploy a dSMB?

How Twinset Valves Work In Scuba Diving | Shutdown Drills And Isolator Tips Explained #scubadiving #askmark #twinset

Confused about how to use twinset valves or perform a proper valve shutdown drill? You’re not alone.

In this AskMark episode, Mark explains how valves work on twin cylinders, including how to safely open and close them, how isolator valves function, and why valve drills (also known as shutdown drills or V-Drills) are critical for diagnosing leaks during technical and recreational dives. Please visit our website for more Scuba news, underwater photography, hints & advice, and travel reports: https://divernet.com/ 

Mark also shares tips on muscle memory for reaching your left and right posts, isolator-first vs isolator-last logic, and how to prevent over-tightening or unsafe valve positioning. This guide is perfect for divers transitioning to twinsets, sidemount divers curious about manifold setups, or anyone wanting to improve their gas management skills. 

Let us know in the comments how your instructor taught valve drills and don’t forget to leave your questions using #AskMark to get featured in a future video. 

@mostafametwally1

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=================================

Disclaimer: The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. This video's content, including text, graphics, images, and information, is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.

🔎 Related Phrases:

How Twinset Valves Work In Scuba Diving, Shutdown Drills And Isolator Tips Explained, How Twinset Valves Work In Diving, Scuba Valve Drill Tutorial, Shutdown Drill For Twin Cylinders, How To Use Twinset Isolator Valve, Twinset Manifold Explained, Best Way To Close Dive Valves, V-Drill For Scuba Divers, Twin Cylinder Gas Management Tips, Scuba Regulator Shutdown Steps, How To Practice Twinset Valve Drills, Muscle Memory For Valve Shutdowns

#scubadiving #askmark #twinset #scubavalves #shutdownskills #divingsafety #scubatraining #scubatech #divetips #manifoldvalve #valvedrill #scubagear #divingtechniques #scubacommunity #technicaldiving

How Do Valves Work on Twin Cylinders? #askmark
@mostafametwally1
#askmark hi Mark. Could you do a video on how to deal with the valves and manifold on twin cylinders. It’s confusing to remember which way to open the valves and it’s easy to get wrong particularly in emergencies. Thanks
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The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS5EQkEyODM0NTk2MUFEQkYz

How Twinset Valves Work In Scuba Diving | Shutdown Drills And Isolator Tips Explained

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