whitespotted hermit

Scientific name Dardanus megistos
Descriptor Herbst
Year of description 1804
IUCN category (World) NE
Family Diogenidae
Genus Dardanus
Dardanus megistos Dardanus megistos

Introduction

Dardanus megistos, commonly known as whitespotted hermit, is a salt water crustacea.

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Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    15 cm
  • Maximum size
    20 cm
  • Longevity
    30 year
  • Shape
    Unclassifiable
  • Pattern
    ponctuations
  • Average size
    15 cm
  • Maximum size
    20 cm
  • Longevity
    30 year
  • Shape
    Unclassifiable
  • Pattern
    ponctuations

How to recognize the whitespotted hermit ?

The whitespotted hermit measures between 15 and 20 cm. this crustacea is bicolore with a predominantly rouge and orange body. The also has blanc ponctuations.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • Sociability
    solitary
  • territorial
    No
  • Venomous
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

Like all crustaceans, The whitespotted hermit 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.

The whitespotted hermit is a crustacea solitary. This species is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency .

Although the whitespotted hermit is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare

The whitespotted hermit is a crustacea ovipare. this crustacea protects its eggs from nearby predators.

Harmless species

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

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : NE

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    24 - 29 °C
  • Depth
    0 - 50 m

Biotope presentation

The whitespotted hermit is most often found at a depth between 0m and 50m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

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.

Adrien Falzon

Adrien Falzon

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.

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Where to see this species?

Scientific partners

Species of the same family

Same genus

Species of the same biotope

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