Calcinus elegans

Calcinus elegans

Scientific name	Calcinus elegans
Descriptor	Milne-Edwards
Year of description	1836
IUCN category (World)	NE
Family	Diogenidae
Genus	calcinus

Introduction

Calcinus elegans is a little salt water crustacea.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Average size

3 cm
Maximum size

4 cm
Pattern

horizontal stripes

Average size

3 cm
Maximum size

4 cm
Pattern

horizontal stripes

How to recognize Calcinus elegans ?

Calcinus elegans measures between 3 and 4 cm. Given its small size, this species is commonly referred to as a "dwarf" animal. this crustacea is multicolore with a predominantly bleu, noir and blanc body. The also has noir horizontal stripes.

Behaviour & Life cycle

Sociability

solitary
territorial

No
Venomous

No
Way of living

diurnal

Molting in crustaceans

Like all crustaceans, Calcinus elegans molts whenever it becomes cramped in its shell. Before the hardening of its new body, it is more vulnerable and spends a good part of its time hidden. This mechanism, very complex, allows the periodic renewal of the exoskeleton and part of the internal skeleton. It is also during the moult that the females become fertile.

Calcinus elegans is a crustacea solitary. This species is scavenger . Measuring only a few centimeters, this small species tends to be discreet and hide in the presence of larger neighbors.

Although Calcinus elegans is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

Reproduction

ovipare

Calcinus elegans is a crustacea ovipare.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Origin

Bay of Bengal Great Barrier Reef Philippine Sea South East Asian Seas Indonesian seas East Indian Ocean western Indian Ocean Western Tropical Pacific Ocean

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : NE

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Depth

0 - 10 m

Biotope presentation

Calcinus elegans is most often found at a depth between 0m and 10m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

This species lives in decaying vegetation (branches, leaves) in low current areas.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Aurélien Calas

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

Guide Des Crustacés Décapodes Du Pacifique Sud - J. Poupin - M. Juncker - CRISP - 2010.

Les pagures du genre Calcinus en Polynésie française avec la description de trois nouvelles espèces (Decapoda, Anomura, Diogenidae) - J. Poupin - ZOOSYSTEMA - 1997.